BLACKBURN striker Benni McCarthy has vowed to put sentiment firmly to one side this weekend by gunning down his friend and mentor Jose Mourinho.

The South African international, who scored his first Premiership goal in Rovers' 1-1 draw with Everton on Wednesday night, is relishing the prospect of coming face-to-face with Mourinho for the first time since he quit as manager of Porto for Chelsea two years ago.

But, while the 28-year-old will never forget the impact his former boss had on his career, he's ready to shelve those feelings for 90 minutes on Sunday, when he will look to follow Mark Viduka's lead by inflicting another damaging blow to Chelsea's title aspirations.

It was Viduka's last-gasp goal at the Riverside in midweek which condemned Chelsea to a rare defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.

Now, McCarthy and his Blackburn team-mates are looking to heap further embarrassment on the millionaires from the King's Road as they go in search of a first home win of the new campaign.

Referring to the respect in which he holds the Chelsea manager, McCarthy said: "I know Jose Mourinho has his critics but I think he's a fantastic coach and I won't say a bad word against him.

"I really missed him when he left Porto and I can't wait to meet him again.

"Porto have changed a hell of a lot since Jose left the club. He produced a tougher type of football and mentality.

"Porto were on a higher level, winning the UEFA Cup and the Champions League, but they have dropped back again now.

"The football and the spirit at Porto are just not the same anymore.

"Since he took over at Chelsea, you can see that high level and high spirit in their team.

"He knew how to bring the best out of every one of the players under him and that is always important.

"A manager needs to know a player and how to motivate them, and he does that brilliantly.

"I've missed him and I'm looking forward to seeing him again (on Sunday)."

McCarthy was one of the star players of that Porto side that won the Champions League under Mourinho two years ago.

For both men, that was the highlight of their careers so far, but they have since moved on and now face fresh challenges with their respective clubs in the Premiership.

While Mourinho has his sights firmly set on a third straight Premiership title, McCarthy's goal is to help establish Blackburn as a top-six force by filling the void created by Craig Bellamy's summer departure to Liverpool.

His fellow South African, Aaron Mokoena, certainly believes McCarthy has what it takes to shine on the Premiership stage, providing his team-mates supply him with the right service.

"I really hope that as a team against Chelsea, we can play very well to make it easier for Benni," said Mokoena.

"He needs some time to settle into the team and adapt to the Premier League style of football.

"He has shown he is a player who can score goals and that's what it's all about as a striker, especially one with his qualities.

"He is a goalscorer and that is what we hope for from him - goals!"