MARK Hughes insists he had no intention of letting striker Benni McCarthy leave Blackburn Rovers as he seeks to hang on to his top stars.

Yesterday, the Lancashire Telegraph revealed that McCarthy will pen an improved three-year deal to keep him at Ewood Park until 2011.

Although the deal has not yet been completed, the South African is expected to sign on the dotted line soon with both parties finalising negotiations.

And Hughes will be delighted when the Bafana Bafana hitman commits his future to Rovers once and for all.

"I don't think it is actually signed but I think we are as close as we have ever been," said the Rovers boss.

"It has been a long, drawn-out negotiation but we are very hopeful it will be coming to a conclusion sooner rather than later.

"I think it is important we show to everyone that we are a club that are trying to keep our best players here and Benni is certainly one of those."

McCarthy became an instant hit at Rovers after joining from Portuguese side Porto in the summer of 2006.

He led the scoring charts in his first campaign, bagging 24 goals in all competitions, including 18 in the Premier League.

But after a summer of rumours linking him with a switch to Chelsea, McCarthy has endured a frustrating second season, netting just 11 goals and, for the most part, playing second fiddle to Roque Santa Cruz.

Hughes added: "He had an outstanding first season. This season has been a little stop-start for Benni but he has still scored goals.

"The fact Benni will be with us for a number of seasons is very reassuring from my point of view.

"If we can keep all our players, and there is no reason why we can't, then we will continue to progress.

"You can't afford good quality players to go out of your club if you can do something about it.

"We have moved to try to make sure Benni is secure here and he can now focus on his career until the end of his contract."

McCarthy is in line for a starting re-call in tomorrow's Premier League clash at Liverpool, with striker Jason Roberts facing a fitess test on a groin injury.