McCarthy gives Ince food for thought

PAUL INCE is looking forward to the return of a fully fit and firing Benni McCarthy after the South Africa striker finally showed flashes of his old form.

McCarthy came off the bench here to snatch an equaliser in the third minute of injury time. It was his first club goal since February 24 and his first in open play since a Carling Cup fourth round tie at Portsmouth on October 31.

He salvaged a point for Rovers in a match they dominated but which appeared to be heading Middlesbrough’s way when Afonso Alves struck in the 74th minute.

McCarthy has had a niggling groin problem and been criticised for returning after the summer overweight, which restricted him to just four substitute appearances prior to yesterday. However, Ince is now hopeful the striker who scored 24 goals in his debut season at Ewood Park and 11 last time out is regaining his sharpness.

“Benni is a great goalscorer and I’m delighted for him,” said the Rovers manager. “I’ve always said a fit and hungry Benni McCarthy will always be in my side and he’s getting there now.

“He looks sharper after going away and having a couple of games with South Africa and he’s a fantastic guy; he’s always smiling and he does try hard. I have always said if he gets himself right, which he is starting to do now, he will be a great addition to the squad.” Rovers would certainly welcome an in-form McCarthy as his header yesterday was only the third scored at home in five league matches.

Roque Santa Cruz hit a post in the 16th minute but that apart, the hosts struggled to turn their dominance into goals.

Their shortcomings were almost cruelly exposed as before that Jeremie Aliadiere smashed a volley against the crossbar and Tuncay Sanli’s 29th-minute overhead kick was wrongly ruled out by an assistant referee’s flag.

And when Alves raced clear in the second half to turn veteran centre-back Andre Ooijer and fire past Paul Robinson it appeared Rovers were to pay for the lack of a cutting edge until McCarthy’s late intervention.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate was more than satisfied with the performance after they were thrashed 5-0 at home by Chelsea last weekend. “It was a humbling experience for all of us and we have taken a lot of stick,” he said. “The only way we could answer that was on the field.”

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Robinson 6, Simpson 6, Ooijer 6, Nelsen 6, Olsson 6 (Treacy 81, 5), Emerton 5, Grella 5, Warnock 7, Villanueva 5, Santa Cruz 6, Derbyshire 4 (McCarthy 65, 6).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Tugay, Khizanishvili, Andrews, Roberts.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Turnbull 6, Wheater 6, Riggott 5, Pogatetz 6, Taylor 6, Aliadiere 6, O’Neil 7, Digard 5, Downing 5, Alves 6, Tuncay 6 (Emnes 85, 5).

Subs Not Used: Jones, Shawky, A Johnson, J Johnson, Grounds.

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral) 4: Tuncay’s goal should have stood, while Blackburn were wrongly denied a penalty.

MATCH RATING: ** Filthy weather, filthy game. Neither side deserved to win.