BLACKBURN ROVERS manager Mark Hughes believes his side is stronger than the team he led to a top six finish last season.

Fans feared the goals would dry up when star striker Craig Bellamy was sold off to Liverpool in the summer.

But some shrewd pieces of business saw Jason Roberts, Benni McCarthy, Shabani Nonda and Francis Jeffers all arrive at Ewood Park.

And after watching South African McCarthy hit the winner against Wigan yesterday - scoring his fifth goal in a Rovers shirt - Hughes said he was more than happy with Bellamy's replacements.

He said: "The guy's a natural goalscorer (McCarthy).

"He'll make chances for himself and he'll create chances for others and he'll get on the end of things created by others.

"He's had a good start to his Blackburn Rovers career and I've no doubt there's more to come from Benni McCarthy.

"I had to make sure I brought in the right quality and I think I've done that.

"The guys that we have now, the likes of Chris Nonda, Jason Roberts and Franny Jeffers, I've got lots of options and arguably better options than I had last year."

Hughes was forced to shuffle his front line with the absence of Nonda, who failed to shake off a leg strain picked up towards the end of the Salzburg match on Thursday night.

That meant a start for Jeffers who partnered McCarthy up front and did well although the former Everton, Arsenal, Charlton and Rangers striker, is desperately needing a goal to boost his confidence However, Hughes was full of praise for the 25-year-old, who worked hard before being substituted for Roberts after 70 minutes.

He said: "I thought Jeffers was excellent today for the hour that he was on.

"Chris Nonda wasn't able to play so my hand was forced. I would've liked to have tried him on the bench again but the decision was made for me.

"Jason was raring to go. I think it's always good to involve a guy who has played for the opposition, they always want to do well against their old clubs and I thought he did well when he came on.

"Like I say to all the lads in the squad, you've got to be ready to make an impact when you come on.

"And all the guys who have come on today have done excellent."