MARK Hughes believes new signing David Bentley could turn out to be the missing link in his plan to transform Blackburn Rovers into a top 10 Premiership force.

The England Under 21 international joined Rovers on a season-long loan from Arsenal last week, just hours before the transfer window slammed shut.

It was a shrewd piece of business by Hughes, who beat off several clubs to Bentley's signature, and the Blackburn boss now hopes the versatile 21-year-old can provide the kind of creativity Rovers have been missing in the final third over the last 12 months.

"I'm delighted we've been able to bring David here," said Hughes.

"He's a technically gifted young boy who will give us something different in terms of creativity and a little bit of a threat and the ability, we hope, to unlock the doors in some games.

"He's a young player who has made a mark in the game but I think he's at a point in his career where he's probably looked at his situation at his club and feels he can't progress any further, certainly not in the short term.

"He's a young man who just wants to play football and we have the opportunity to allow him to do that here.

"Once he settles in and gets his feet under the table I'm sure he'll turn out to be a good addition for us.

"If he does well and progresses then maybe at the end of the term we might be able to do some business and get him here permanently, but the ball's really in Arsenal's court and it's up to them because he's still their player."

Bentley's versatility - he can play a number of different positions in attack or midfield - will give Hughes greater scope in his quest to boost Rovers' firepower in the final third.

Last season, the team only mustered 32 goals in the Premiership, the lowest ever haul for a league campaign in the history of the club, but with Bentley now on board, together with fellow new signings Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi, Hughes is confident he has the armoury to frighten opponents.

He added: "David gives me more options. He can play out wide, he can play in a three breaking forward, and he can also play off the front so he gives me those type of options.

"In tandem with all the other players we have and the different qualities and strengths they have, I think attacking wise we are well covered now."