Blackburn Rovers hero Stuart Ripley has slammed the England fans who booed David Bentley on Saturday.

The former Rovers and England winger told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It's ridiculous. I feel for him. He's a great player with fantastic technique and he doesn't deserve that kind of reaction.

"He made the decision to pull out of the Under-21s to keep himself fit and fresh for Rovers and for England, and to be booed like that is very disappointing.

"England fans can be very partisan about their own teams but they're passionate about their country as well and they should be getting behind their team. They should just appreciate him for what he is - a great player.

"He's worked hard and put in some great performances for Rovers and it's just a shame that people are doing this when they should be right behind him.

"The only thing he can do is work hard the next time he plays and if he pops up with a goal then everyone will shut up and soon forget about it."