Big Sam eyes Benni impact

McCarthy: Chance to shine

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Sam Allardyce believes Benni McCarthy can play a key part in helping Blackburn reach the Carling Cup final.

The South Africa international has mainly been a peripheral figure this season having started just nine games in all competitions.

However three of those starts have come in the Carling Cup where the 32-year-old has managed three goals, including one in the quarter-final against Chelsea, and he looks set to feature in the semi-final first-leg against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Allardyce insists that the door is not closed for the former Ajax frontman at Ewood Park, but with the World Cup looming many expect the striker to be on the move in January.

"I know and Benni knows why he is not playing as much but that is a confidential matter between the two of us," he said.

"It really lies in his hands, not mine if he wants to play more. If he puts that right he could play a major part here and help us win a cup then go on to the World Cup.

"We want to see him playing to his best every week. He has been frustrated by his lack of playing time. So he wants to leave.

"But that would depend on how much a club is prepared to pay before we would think about letting one of our major scorers go.

No offers

"I have had no offers for him and as it is he is a Blackburn player. I know when he goes out on the field, especially at Ewood Park, generally we get his best performances there."

Allardyce has also pointed out the importance of David Dunn to the Rovers cause having impressed in a more advanced role this term.

"Dunny is a big player for us," he added. "We have been desperate to get him back. To be honest he has been bigger loss than I expected.

"Not only he is creative he has also scored six goals. Let's hope he can be as big a player for us as Steven Gerrard is for Liverpool."

Despite losing 3-1 to Villa in the FA Cup third round on Saturday Allardyce is looking to draw inspiration from the 2-1 home win over Martin'Neill's side back in September.

"We have to remind ourselves how we beat Villa then rather than reflecting on Saturday's defeat," he highlighted.

"It was a massive victory, our best result this season, and we will be looking for a repeat performance.

"However, since then Villa have gone from strength to strength and will be a huge hurdle to overcome."