BENNI McCarthy reckons he and Jason Roberts can become the new Cole and Yorke' of the Premiership after their partnership showed further signings of flourishing at the weekend.

Mark Hughes' in-form strike-duo both grabbed a goal apiece as Blackburn Rovers beat Newcastle United 2-0 at St James' Park.

McCarthy and Roberts have now plundered eight goals between them since they were reunited up front five games ago.

And after their latest scoring exploits in the North East, McCarthy likened their partnership to that of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke when they were in their pomp together at Manchester United.

"I think me and Jason have got a Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole thing going," said McCarthy.

"We're not the same as they were; they were completely different players compared to us.

"But, like them, we are good friends on and off the pitch, and we get along so well.

"We've both got different qualities which we can put into a game, and it's just the understanding and the talking and the friendship that we have; it's fantastic.

"Unfortunately, Jason got injured earlier in the season but he has since come back and shown a lot of determination that he can make it.

"I think he was determined to prove the gaffer was right to buy him from Wigan, and since he's come back in, he's been absolutely fantastic."

Manager Mark Hughes signed Roberts believing his physical presence would make him the perfect foil for the more technically gifted McCarthy, but a couple of injuries meant the former Wigan man spent most of the first half of the season on the treatment table.

Then whilst Roberts was out, Matt Derbyshire, and to a lesser extent Shabani Nonda, seized their chances to impress, making it difficult for Hughes to leave them out.

However, Roberts finally won a recall for the FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea and he and McCarthy haven't stopped scoring since, grabbing eight of the last 11 goals scored by Blackburn between them.

McCarthy said: "Matt was on fire earlier in the season, and Shabani was also doing well before he got injured so it was hard for the gaffer to choose Jason over those two.

"But he did and Jason has since taken his chance so well and I'm ecstatic for him.

"The more I help him to score, the more confident he gets.

"And he helps me to get into situations by drawing two or three defenders with his strength."