Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy has credited Sam Allardyce with putting his World Cup dream back on track after admitting his nightmare six months under Paul Ince left him fearing heartbreak in 2010.

McCarthy has returned to form with four goals in four Premier League games for Blackburn since Allardyce's appointment as successor to the sacked Ince last month.

The Cape Town-born star had been left on the sidelines by Ince, who snubbed the 31-year-old in favour of Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz and Grenada international Jason Roberts.

And with South Africa due to become the first African nation to host the World Cup in eighteen months' time, McCarthy began to fear that he would slide out of the picture for the national team.

Allardyce's arrival has sparked a change of fortune, however, and McCarthy admits that the former Bolton and Newcastle manager has put him back on course to play a big role in 2010.

McCarthy said: "I don't know, I really don't know, why Paul Ince never gave me a chance. I would love to know, but it is part and parcel of football.

"But it was difficult for me, especially when you get to my age and you are playing for a country that is hosting the World Cup.

"You want to play and you always want to be in the mix so, by the time the World Cup comes, you are ready and no one doubts that you should even be in the national team.

"It was hard. Every time I kept going to the national team, I am like a really important figure for my country, but I don't play for my club.

"People ask questions like is he the right man? Should he play? Should someone else get the chance? Those type of things go through your head and it is really difficult.

"When you do play, you are under even more pressure because you are not playing for your club.

"It was hard, but I am glad I have got that out of the way and now I just have to keep trying doing what I am doing so I don't lose my place."

Allardyce has guided Blackburn out of the Premier League relegation zone during his month in charge and McCarthy admits the new boss has made a big difference.

He said: "There are things we have started doing again and now you can see there is a massive change in the way we play.

"Everyone is responding and the system and just the sheer drive everyone has to get us out of the relegation zone. From the manager's first day, you could see a big change in attitudes from players.

"Some managers just prefer certain players and, if you don't fit what a manager likes and the way he wants to play, then you don't fit. You just get the boot.

"That's what happened to me under Paul Ince and unfortunately, you learn to live with it, keep working hard and, when you get your chance, you just try to prove your point.

"But the new manager has come in and I am playing again now and it is a big relief."

Sapa

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