Big Sam admits Dindane liking

Dindane: In good form

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Sam Allardyce admits he considered a move for Aruna Dindane prior to Portsmouth signing the striker, while conceding Benni McCarthy looks to be on his way out of Ewood Park.

Blackburn boss Allardyce prepares his side to face Pompey on Saturday aware that they will need to keep an eye on Dindane, a player he weighed up an offer for without firming up initial interest.

Dindane was in red hot form last weekend as his hat-trick helped bottom club Portsmouth to a morale boosting 4-0 rout of Wigan at Fratton Park, a performance that laid to bed criticism of some recent glaring misses.

Allardyce admits to being a fan of the 28-year-old, who plays his international football alongside Didier Drogba for Ivory Coast.

"It appears he misses a few but he's always in a position to score, that's the key thing," said Allardyce.

"A lot of us looked at Dindane, we all knew what a good player he was but we were not in a position to risk the situation with the big injury that kept him out for such a long time.

Tough test

"Portsmouth were the ones who took the chance and Portsmouth are the ones who are benefiting from someone who looks like a very, very good striker and who we will have to keep quiet tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Allardyce admits he is contemplating offloading Benni McCarthy, with the South African keen to quit the club in the pursuit of first team football.

"I think Benni has made it clear through his agent this week that he would like to see if there is anybody out there who would be wanting to take him and play him on a more regular basis than we are," he said.

"As always when you have a player who is a little unhappy you will always look at the situation and makes sure that it suits you first, and if it does then it can get done.

"I understand the frustration and I have explained the situation not just to him but to everybody."