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Blackburn are battling to hang onto their stars after rejecting a bid for David Bentley and confirming that Brad Friedel wants to leave the club.

Rovers chief John Williams has revealed they have snubbed a straight cash bid - thought to be £12 million - from Tottenham for Bentley.

However, it is understood that the offer made was significantly less than the £15 million Villa bid for the player earlier in the summer.

Williams told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "We've had bids from two clubs for David Bentley; one when Mark Hughes was manager, and the other very recently. They have both been rejected."

Meanwhile, keeper Friedel has paved the way for a move to either Aston Villa or Manchester City after admitting he wants to quit Ewood.

"When Brad told us he wanted to leave, it was a bolt out of the blue - he had only signed his latest contract back in February, and a replacement keeper has not even been on our radar," confirmed Williams.

"It's an unwelcome situation for us, and particularly for Paul, who has been concentrating on other targets, as well as assessing our squad and bedding in his new backroom staff."

The Rovers chairman also confirmed the club had turned down a formal bid - believed to be from Newcastle - for defender Stephen Warnock.

"We've had a bid of £2 million," Williams added. "It was rejected and the club concerned has been told he is not for sale."

Sean Fay & TeamTalk / Eurosport