MARK Hughes has told Rovers striker Benni McCarthy that he must follow Jason Roberts' lead and wait patiently for a starting spot.

Despite signing a three-year extension to his contract last week, the South African inter-national has cut a frustrated figure on the substitutes bench in recent weeks.

His last start came in the 1-1 Premier League draw against Fulham on March 8, since which time Roberts has enjoyed a renaissance leading the line for Blackburn.

It is a case of role reversal for the two frontmen, as Roberts himself waited for a first-team spot earlier this season and, at one stage, submitted a transfer request which was rejected by Hughes. But the Grenadan has since been rewarded for his patience, starting each of Blackburn's last seven matches and flourishing alongside Roque Santa Cruz.

Hughes insists McCarthy will now have to bide his time to re-claim a starting place, although the Rovers boss is left in no doubt that the Bafana Bafana forward is a top-class player waiting to make an impact.

"Players want to play week in, week out but he understands the impact Jason has made in recent weeks," said Hughes.

"Jason had to be very patient and wait for his chance and, in fairness, he's got an opportunity and taken it.

"Benni understands that and that happens in football so he hasn't got a problem with that.

"Jason has been patient so Benni will have to be, but we all know the quality he has on offer and can produce, so I have no issue there at all."

McCarthy will look to add to his 11 goals for the season, but a hamstring injury may scupper his chances of featuring in the final two games of the season.

The 30-year-old tweaked his hamstring in a light training session ahead of Rovers' 1-0 victory at Portsmouth 1-0 last Sunday, a result that kept Blackburn in the chase for an Intertoto Cup spot.

But Hughes is hopeful McCarthy will be ready for Saturday's clash against Premier League basement boys Derby.

The Rovers boss said: "He pulled up very late on in the session on Saturday.

"He tweaked his hamstring but we are hoping it's just a little bit of tightness in there and he hasn't actually pulled anything.

"We will check on him this week but we are hopeful that he will play a part in the matches that we have left.

"I need everybody fit and well going into these last two games because I want as many options available to me as possible."