BENNI McCarthy is seeking an Ewood Park exit to re-ignite his flagging World Cup hopes – but the potential of any short-term switch would not be considered by Blackburn Rovers.

McCarthy’s representative yesterday confirmed the striker was looking for a fresh challenge after limited first team opportunities under Rovers boss Sam Allardyce – with Premier League rivals Portsmouth believed to be interested in a temporary January move.

Several other foreign clubs are also understood to be tracking McCarthy’s situation with interest although it is believed Rovers would only consider letting last season’s top scorer go for a satisfactory transfer fee - plus the arrival of a replacement striker.

Rovers would see no benefit in allowing McCarthy leave Ewood on a temporary basis, while the idea of selling him to a Premier League rival would have to be seriously questioned.

McCarthy has yet to voice any official wish to leave the club but agent Rob Moore’s claims that the striker wants to move on has come as no surprise to the Ewood Park hierarchy.

The club have insisted they have had no official interest from other clubs either, although sources close to the players suggest there are a handful of suitors willing to hand him a World Cup lifeline.

The 31-year-old has made just one Premier League start this campaign, as well as two substitute appearances, and is desperate for regular first team football in his bid to win a recall for World Cup hosts South Africa.

Moore said: “Benni [McCarthy] wants to leave Blackburn Rovers.

“He has not been given the chance to show his worth this season in the Premier League and there's no denying that it seems like he is not the type of player Sam Allardyce is looking for.”

McCarthy’s opportunities this season at Ewood have been limited due to David Dunn’s starring role behind a lone striker, leaving four strikers battling for just one position.

Franco Di Santo, Jason Roberts and Nikola Kalinic all seem to be ahead of McCarthy in that pecking order due to their more physical attributes, leaving the South African running out of time to get back into the international fold.

Allardyce though would be highly reluctant to allow the proven goalscorer leave without the promise of another striker, especially with Chelsea loanee Di Santo expected to return to Stamford Bridge.

His exit would help lighten the burden on Rovers’ wage bill though and provide the Rovers boss with more room for manoeuvre in the transfer market come January.

McCarthy’s goal in last week’s Carling Cup win was his 50th for the club, in just 127 appearances, but his involvement at Ewood is expected to remain limited unless Allardyce changes his system.