BRAD Friedel has urged Fabio Capello to put his trust in David Bentley as the Italian prepares to name his first England squad later this week.

Capello was at Villa Park on Saturday to watch Bentley play a leading role in Blackburn Rovers' 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

And, after watching his team-mate wait patiently for his chance, Friedel believes the time is now right for Bentley to get an extended run in the England team, starting with next month's friendly against Switzerland.

The Rovers keeper said: "Bentley should be in the England squad this week. He is a tremendous player. He has a lot of energy both on and off the pitch and is very good for the changing room as well.

"He is a lad who likes to live his life how he wants to, but it is not in a negative way. I am very biased but I would have him in the squad.

"Because England didn't qualify for Euro 2008, a lot of people want to try and jump on the bandwagon, saying that there aren't good enough players etc. But that is not the case at all.

"It is just a matter of getting all those top-quality players together and being able to play on the international scene.

"They have got more than enough talent in this country, not only to qualify for tournaments but to win them as well."

Bentley came in for heavy criticism when he pulled out of the European Under 21 Championships last summer, citing fatigue as the reason for his withdrawal.

But although fans have since booed the midfielder for that, claiming he let his country down, Friedel believes Bentley's recent form proves he made the correct decision for the long-term benefit of his career.

Friedel added: "I don't think nowadays if he gets booed it is a hatred thing, or anything like that. It is more a way of trying to get him off his game so he doesn't perform.

"He did what he needed to do by pulling out of the Under-21s last summer, for his own body and his own mental well being going into this season.

"He has been tremendous and I think he made the right decision. He is more patriotic than anyone I have ever played with. He wants to wear an England shirt and he loves his country.

"He made a professional decision, and he made that decision not on his own, but with other people giving him some help. I think it was calculated and educated.

"Many people in the past have done it in the wrong way.

"He did it in the correct manner. He has taken his boos off the fans but I think they are quietening down with each game that we play."