Blackburn Rovers expect to fill their managerial vacancy within days, with Paul Ince the favourite to get the job ahead of Sam Allardyce. But their new manager is unlikely to persuade David Bentley to stay at Ewood Park after the England midfield player yesterday outlined his determination to leave in pursuit of Champions League football.

Bentley has told Blackburn that he firmly intends to leave, having rejected the club’s offer of a new contract. “I have made it clear to the club what I want to do,” Bentley said. “I want to move on. I want to be playing Champions League football. I want to be playing in Europe. I love the club and I love playing for them, but I want to move on and try and push up the ladder and be as successful as I can.”

Bentley is determined to leave, but Blackburn hope that the appointment of a new manager will force a re-think. Allardyce impressed at an interview last week, but, after a flurry of activity on the betting exchanges last night, Ince, the Milton Keynes Dons manager, is now the bookmakers’ favourite for the job.