New Rovers deal for McCarthy

Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has signed a new three-year contract at Ewood Park.

The 30-year-old South Africa international, who has scored 11 goals this term, has committed himself to the Lancashire club until the end of the 2010-11 season.

McCarthy, the club's top scorer after joining from Porto last season, had been in negotiations with the club for a number of weeks and boss Mark Hughes now believes that a deal has been agreed saying: "I think it's actually done now which is good news for us."

McCarthy scored 24 goals in an outstanding first season at the club last year.

Although he has not replicated that form this term, often playing second fiddle to new star man Roque Santa Cruz, he has remained an important member of the Rovers side.

His new deal will take him beyond the 2010 World Cup, in which he will hope to play a role in his homeland.

Rovers and McCarthy had to wait for the player's work permit to be renewed to complete the deal, but that proved a formality.