Benni McCarthy is unsettled at Blackburn Rovers.

The Daily Mail says McCarthy, 31, was unhappy with his lack of chances under former boss Paul Ince.

He was on the verge of handing in a transfer request after being left out of the side for the Barclays Premier League games against Liverpool and Wigan this month despite scoring twice at Manchester United in the Carling Cup exit.

McCarthy expected to start with Santa Cruz in Allardyce's first game against Stoke last Saturday but the Paraguayan was instead set to partner Jason Roberts before pulling out with a calf injury. McCarthy went on to score twice to take his total to four goals in three games.

But, to his dismay, he was then denied the chance of a hat-trick when he was replaced 12 minutes from time.