Blackburn Rovers Football Club

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Michael Appleton

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31367

McCarthy relief for Rovers

12 Aug 2007 - 09:27:20

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Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy has been given the all-clear after suffering a nasty head injury during the 2-1 opening day victory at Middlesbrough.

The South African was replaced on the hour mark after falling to the ground, before being stretchered off in a neck brace and taken to hospital for check-ups.

However, Rovers boss Mark Hughes said later on: "We got word that he was okay when I was in the dressing room.

"Obviously there was a concern when he went off, I think everybody saw that after the initial impact he was able to walk away, but then he passed out I think.

"So there is genuine concern once a player has been taken off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace, but thankfully we feel that he's okay."

Meanwhile, Hughes hailed substitutes Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire, after they netted the vital goals at the Riverside, with the former earning a special mention.

"I think you saw in the short time that he was on the field that he's got great qualities," Hughes told the club's official website.

"He's a big guy, he's a threat in the air and he'll get on the end of things because we produce quality balls in the box.

"He's also quick for a big guy. He's got some great qualities and he's going to have a great season for us."