BENNI McCarthy appears NOT to be seriously injured after being stretchered off during Rovers' 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough.

The Blackburn striker appeared to collapse moments after receiving a blow to the head just before the hour mark at the Riverside.

After lengthy treatment, McCarthy was stretchered off and whisked to hospital, but the early diagnosis seems to be positive.

Rovers boss Mark Hughes said: "We've got word that he is ok when I was in the dressing room.

"Obviously there was a concern when he went off, I think everybody saw that after the initial impact he was able to walk away but then he passed out I think.

"So there was genuine concern once a player has been taken off on a stretcher with his neck in a brace, but thankfully we feel that he's ok."