Slimline McCarthy could be Rovers tonic: Ince

Blackburn boss Paul Ince believes Benni McCarthy’s hunger for goals has returned and is set to hand the striker his first start of the season against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

McCarthy last scored for Blackburn in February and he has become something of a marginal figure at Ewood Park after making only four substitute appearances so far this season.

But Ince believes the striker’s goal for South Africa against Ghana last week was a sign that he is ready for a return to centre stage.

“Benni came back to pre-season not quite right,” the Rovers manager admitted. “He’s had to work really hard to get himself to the weight he needs to be at.

“He has had a couple of games for South Africa and that has helped him. He seems to have that hunger back.

“Benni has been razor-sharp in training and he did well when he came on in the last 15 minutes against Bolton last weekend. He gives me another selection problem but that is what I get paid for.

“It is nice because Benni is a quality player and when he is right he is one of the best in the Premier League.”

McCarthy’s path back to the first team has been eased by Roque Santa Cruz’s current hamstring problems although he faces competition for starting places from Robbie Fowler, Jason Roberts and Matt Derbyshire.

Despite their relative wealth of strikers, Blackburn have managed only eight goals in eight league games this season and Ince admits that figure is a concern.

“I was disappointed we did not have a shot on target against Bolton,” he said. “That is something we have been working on this week, being a bit more offensive and getting people into the box.”

McCarthy, 30, managed only 11 goals for Blackburn last season after scoring an impressive 24 in his first campaign in England.

Despite the dip, Blackburn regarded him highly enough to give him a new three-year contract at the end of last season.