Benni to leave Rovers?

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes has rubbished suggestions that Rovers could lose their top goal-scorer Benni McCarthy to a rival club.

Skysports.com reports that the South African-born striker, who has scored 13 goals in 2006/07 already, could be a target for the likes of Chelsea given his outstanding form this season.

McCarthy was linked with a move to a host of Premiership clubs - including the Blues - in the past, but, ultimately, only Rovers manager Hughes was willing to take the plunge when he paid Porto £2.5-million to sign the player last summer.

The Welshman is understandably keen to retain one of his prize assets and he admits the speculation is tiresome.

"Whenever I have good players and they have good seasons, people assume they want to leave and I take exception to that," said Hughes.

Team-mate Robbie Savage has hailed McCarthy as Rovers' Player of the Season so far.

McCarthy came off the bench to cap Rovers' fine 4-1 FA Cup win at Everton and Savage believes that such has been his influence at Ewood Park, that supporters have forgotten all about precocious predecessor Craig Bellamy.

"Benni McCarthy coming off the bench and smashing it in the top corner proves what a squad we've got, because he's probably been our best player this year," said Savage.

"Losing Craig Bellamy was a big blow, but Benni's come in and I think everybody's forgotten about Craig.

"The way Benni's playing with the team and as an individual I think he's fantastic," he added.