Blackburn Rovers Football Club News

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

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Sam warning for McCarthy

11 Feb 2009 - 09:45:10

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Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce has told Benni McCarthy to knuckle down if he wants to prolong his top-level career.

McCarthy, 31, is South Africa's all-time leading international scorer and is hoping to still be in contention for the Bafana Bafana during the World Cup on home soil in 2010.

But Allardyce fears a lack of commitment from the striker could cost him his chance of starring on the biggest stage.

McCarthy is Rovers' ten-goal top-scorer this season after bouncing back from a disappointing last campaign.

"Benni sometimes is his own worst enemy," said Allardyce.

"He is a very talented player but not quite at the fitness levels he could be at.

"Get that right and he plays more and more. Benni's been up and down too much. He was on a massive up (and now) he's been on a massive down for too long.

"At his age he has to be spot on, as fit as he can be.

"If he wants to produce his best that is the key element to having a career for as long as he wants."