Benni McCarthy has urged Roque Santa Cruz to stay with Blackburn Rovers.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has put Blackburn's Paraguayan striker at the top of his January shopping list.

But Rovers ace McCarthy, who has played for top clubs all around Europe, reckons the £18million-rated hitman should think about what he is leaving behind at Rovers.

The South African said: "Blackburn is a fantastic place to be. It is a great family club.

"I doubt it's the same elsewhere.

"So, definitely, the grass is really not that green on the other side. Life is always harder."