Hughes cools Benni rumour
29 Dec 2007 - 13:00:24
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- Hughes cools Benni rumour
Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes has scotched reports suggesting Benni McCarthy will be sold in the January transfer window.
The South Africa international ended his first season in the Premier League last year as the club's runaway leading scorer with 26 goals.
However, this season the former Porto and Celta Vigo striker has found goals more difficult to come by and has often played second fiddle to Roque Santa Cruz in Hughes' plans.
However, the Rovers boss has no intention of allowing the 30-year-old hitman to leave Ewood Park.
"There is no chance of that because the price I would get for Benni wouldn't allow me to replace him with a player of the same ability," he said.
"I would find it very difficult to justify letting him go under any circumstances.
"Benni's had a spell where he's form was a bit inconsistent but he's still come in with a smile.
"He's working hard but I've picked sides without him because I felt the players in form needed to play.
"He's been lacking a bit of form but I just sense he is getting back to somewhere near where he needs to be and he's more likely to be involved."