A lightweight Benni McCarthy is set to earn a first Blackburn Rovers start for the season.

McCarthy scored in the friendly against Ghana last week and is now pushing for a place in the team to face Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Ince said: "Benni came back to pre-season not quite right. He's had to work really hard to get himself to the weight he needs to be at. He has had a couple of games for South Africa and that has helped him. He seems to have that hunger back.

"Benni has been razor-sharp in training and he did well when he came on in the last 15 minutes against Bolton. He gives me another selection problem but that is what I get paid for. It is nice because Benni is a quality player and when he is right he is one of the best in the Premier League."