BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes insists he has not had a fall-out with Benni McCarthy - even though the striker was left out of the squad that won at Sunderland on Saturday.

McCarthy was ordered to stay behind and work on his fitness at Brockhall over the weekend, whilst the rest of his team-mates were in the North East securing a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.

However, Hughes, who later confirmed that McCarthy had been dropped because of concerns over his form and fitness, has not ruled out the possibility of the South African returning in some capacity for Thursday night's must-win UEFA Cup tie with Greek side Larissa.

Explaining his decision to leave McCarthy out, Hughes said: "There's no problem whatsoever. Benni understands the situation and he'll be back very, very quickly and he'll have a major part to play this year.

"So there's no cause for concern.

"We had a chat in the week and I just felt that Benni needed a little bit of one-to-one work, and when he has had that work his levels will be better.

"He is struggling with a little bit of form at the moment, he understands that, so once he's had the work we are going to put into him he'll be better for it, and he'll be able to have the impact he had last year.

"It's difficult to say (why his levels aren't where they should be).

"He had a bang early in the season and maybe that has affected him more than we thought.

"But I just felt as well, it was an opportunity to get Maceo Rigters on the bench.

"We had a good result in midweek (against Birmingham) and we felt it didn't warrant too many changes, and I think it just illustrated the strength of my squad."

McCarthy has struggled to hit the same heights he reached last season this term, and Hughes' decision to leave him out came after two below-par performances against Larissa and Portsmouth recently.

Asked what kind of work the striker had been ordered to do, the Rovers boss said poignantly: "Physical work, finishing work - the whole package.

"We do it with a number of players - he's not the only one - and it benefits them.

"When you are in the side you have to play well to stay in it; when you are out of it you have to keep your levels high so you can make an impact when you get your chance.

"That's just club policy really."

McCarthy wasn't the only high profile casualty at the Stadium of Light.

Pedersen and Savage also had to settle for places on the bench as Hughes kept faith with the core of the side that beat Birmingham in midweek.

"I just felt it was important to give a little bit of confidence to the guys who played on Wednesday because they played well.

"I have to be mindful of the group as a whole. You can't keep on disappointing the likes of Aaron Mokoena and so forth.

"I think it will help the squad in the long run because everyone understands now that they have to play well, and they have to play well on a regular basis."

Rovers are now unbeaten in seven away from home in the Premiership, and Saturday's victory will act as a vital confidence booster ahead of Thursday's clash with Larissa.