Benni McCarthy is grateful to Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce for reviving his Ewood Park career.

After victory over Newcastle, the South Africa striker said: "It is fantastic when a new manager comes and gives players a chance that have not been playing that much.

"I got on the goal-scoring charts and the manager has started having more belief in me.

"He started putting me in from the first day he arrived and that was a massive change.

"He knew about me and that when I am in good form I can help get him out of the mess we are in."