RYAN Nelsen admits former Rovers team-mate David Bentley is “irreplaceable” after tipping him to become the future of English football for the next decade.

Bentley goes head-to-head with his old Rovers pals at White Hart Lane tomorrow for the first time since his summer Ewood exit, with Nelsen hailing the midfielder’s three-year spell in Lancashire as “fantastic”.

His £18million switch to White Hart Lane this summer has so far failed to enhance his international aspirations, one of his reasons for leaving, but Nelsen expects Bentley to become a key man for England sooner than later.

Rovers have since struggled in the wide man's absence and skipper Nelsen admits replacing a player of Bentley’s calibre was always going to prove impossible - but still insists the move was right for both parties.

He said: “Bents was brilliant for Blackburn. He is a fantastic guy and is the future for English football. I hope in two weeks, after our game, he gets back to form because he should be a permanent fixture in the England team because he has unbelievable ability.

“I am not sure you could ever replace someone like him. He scored some great goals for us and is a £18m pound player who plays for England. They don’t grow on trees so, of course, he is very hard to replace, if it is possible at all. Players like David are one of a kind.

“I think the time had come where he needed a move for both parties though. We have added players and he has gone to chase his ambitions at Spurs.

“Bents was brilliant for the club and Blackburn were brilliant for Bents. He wanted to leave and we will carry on without him but I don’t think you will ever replace a David Bentley.”

After a successful loan spell, Rovers signed Bentley permanently from Arsenal in January 2006 and in his first match he scored his first senior hat-trick in a 4–3 victory against Manchester United.

The right winger went on to make more than 100 appearances for Mark Hughes’ men, scoring 19 goals, showing the form that catapulted him onto the international scene.

Bentley made it clear he wanted out from Ewood Park this summer though and, soon after Paul Ince’s appointment as Hughes’ successor, he sealed a £18m move to Tottenham.

His move South has yet to really pay dividends but current Rovers boss Paul Ince insists he holds no hard feelings over his departure.

He said: “You are always sad when you don’t get a chance to play against players of that calibre. But David made it known, before I came, he was looking to get away.

“We could not stand in his way. It was disappointing to lose such a fantastic player but we have to move on. I wish him all the best.”

While Ince has no ill-feeling towards Bentley, he has again stated his frustration at constant speculation linking one of his players with a January move.

Stephen Warnock and Roque Santa Cruz have been the major victims of such talk, with Manchester City and Newcastle United reportedly interested, but Ince insists attempts to unsettle his squad won’t work.

He said: “Every week, players of mine get linked with moves away but luckily we have strong characters who realise with time and the right investment we can move forward.

“It is unsettling when clubs chase our players. But they have all signed contracts and it is not a problem for me.”