Source: Team_Talk
Big Sam issues challenge to Benni
The South Africa international striker is keen to move on as he does not feel that in World Cup year he is playing enough football.[LNB]The 32-year-old has made only nine starts for the club in the Premier League and League Cup this season and his business manager Rob Moore claims there has been interest in the player from a from a number of clubs.[LNB]However, McCarthy looks set to return to the side against Aston Villa in the semi-final first leg on Tuesday at Ewood Park after finding the target in the victory over Chelsea in the last round.[LNB]While Allardyce admits he would love to keep McCarthy, who marked his debut season in England in 2006-07 with 24 goals, he will listen to offers for the player.[LNB]"I know and Benni knows why he is not playing as much but that is a confidential matter between the two of us, " said the Blackburn boss.[LNB]"It really lies in his hands, not mine if he wants to play more.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Remarkably this will be Blackburn's sixth semi-final in eight years and Allardyce wants fit-again David Dunn to imitate Steven Gerrard and give the club a lift.[LNB]The midfielder made his comeback from a calf injury at Villa on Saturday and played 55 minutes of the 3-1 defeat in the FA Cup.[LNB]Allardyce said: "Dunny is a big player for us and we have been desperate to get him back.[LNB]"To be honest he has been a bigger loss than I expected. Not only he is creative he has also scored six goals.[LNB]"Let's hope he can be as big a player for us as Steven Gerrard is for Liverpool."[LNB]Midfielder Brett Emerton returns to the squad after recovering from a groin injury.[LNB]However, El-Hadji Diouf is sidelined through suspension after being sent off in that match while Vince Grella is absent with a thigh problem.[LNB]Blackburn defeated Villa 2-1 at home in the Premier League earlier in the season.[LNB]Allardyce, whose Bolton side finished runners-up to Middlesbrough in 2004, added: "We have to remind ourselves how we beat Villa then rather than reflecting on Saturday's defeat.[LNB]"It was a massive victory, our best result this season, and we will be looking for a repeat performance.[LNB]"However, since then Villa have gone from strength to strength and will be a huge hurdle to overcome."[LNB][LNB] Blackburn v Aston Villa To Score in 90mins: McCarthy, B. 5/2
