Despite Benni McCarthy leaving Ewood Park for Upton Park and Blackburn failing to complete the loan signing of Aruna Dindane from Lens, Rovers boss Sam Allardyce is happy with his squad going into the business end of the season.

 

Ivory Coast international Dindane was set to sign until the end of the season but when the clock ran out on discussions over a possible future permanent deal, the striker went back to Portsmouth where he has been on loan.

McCarthy signed for the Hammers in a deal of around £2M as the South African international finally got his wish to leave Blackburn Rovers. After signing a two and a half year deal following the granting of a work permit, McCarthy will now look forward to first team football and the chance to cement his place in South Africa’s World Cup squad.

Allardyce meanwhile was pragmatic about the situation. “You never want to be in a panic situation because it is then you make the worst selections and the worst choices. We were not in a panic. I am very comfortable with the squad, we are improving, we have put ourselves in a reasonable position in the league but we have to go further than that and continue to pick the points up. If no other player came our way, I was very content with the squad we have got.”