English Premiership

Benni looking forward to SWC

2010-03-10 11:46

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Benni McCarthy (File)

Johannesburg - Benni McCarthy has returned to training at English Premiership side West Ham United FC this week.

The Bafana Bafana striker sustained a knee injury during his debut for the Hammers on February 6 and he has been sidelined ever since.

Critics suggested that the former Blackburn Rovers and Porto star will miss the rest of the season, including the 2010 World Cup, but McCarthy is back in training and hoping to make the squad that will face Chelsea this weekend.

“He’s back in training,” his agent Rob Moore was quoted on theboleyninheritance.com. “Reports of him missing the World Cup were just lazy journalism - Benni will play to the best of his ability for West Ham and if he is fit then he is looking forward to the World Cup.”

The news was reiterated by West Ham’s spokesperson Laura Burkin, who said that rumours speculating that McCarthy could miss the World Cup were wide of the mark.

She said: “I don’t know where they came from – Benni picked up an injury in his first match for us and has been recovering well. He’s been in for light training already and it is hoped he will be able to join in fully later this week. It’s too early to say when he will be back in contention to play on Saturday but he is making good progress.”

Your Comments

roow3/12/2010 6:46 PM: hey this is the guy whoo knows whats money now he has already picked himself for the w/cup . most likely the pay as well check that on next comming weeks (captn) benni is comming to play with an injury long said about.

Fiks3/11/2010 1:28 PM: It is a good thing he has recovered we need him badly in the world cup, the boy create and score goals that what good about him, he is the best striker south africa ever produced.

Rockman3/11/2010 10:32 AM: I do not know what all the hype is about. Let Benni play as he cannot do any worse than the arrogant players we already have. They way that they play it can be said that they are lazy and unfit as well. I love soccer but S.A. soccer and the administration there of...has got a long way to go.

alan3/11/2010 9:53 AM: Hi Ronnie. when last did beiinie get off his fat arse and score any goals? He DOES not deserve another chance to play for S.A. ever again. He is aragant shelfish egotestical person who should not even be discussed so you also go and play with bennie and sello.

SASoccer4Eva3/11/2010 8:47 AM: Please bennie do us a favour we do not want to see your lazy 'S' near the WC you had your chances in the past and you blew them, stuff you bennie give others a chance...

Norm3/11/2010 8:39 AM: Benni only need attention @ world cup.Bafana Bafana is not based on individuals but team work.

KFC3/11/2010 8:23 AM: Who cares, really? Just give him KFC and he will be happy. Rob Moore ruined Bennie. He made him arrogant thinking he was a Drogba. He is not. He is not even a Tico Tico

Ronnie "shibobo"3/11/2010 1:18 AM: WHAT DID I TELL YOU GUYS ALL ALONG BENNI WILL PLAY IN SWC AND ALLAN YOU ARE THE TRAITOR NOT BENNI SO RATHER SHUTUP IF YOU DONT HAVE SOMETHING GOOD TO SAY IF BENNI SHOULD PLAY IN PSL HE WILL BE TOP GOAL SCORER EVERY SEASON GO BENNI GO SHOW THESES HIPPOCRITS WHAT YOU MADE OFF

alan3/10/2010 10:03 PM: Hi Sello. yes i support all S.A. teams and sport in this country but not individule players who are shelfish and only want to gain for the big events like the world cup. He was not arround to help when we were in direstraights and beeing embaraesd. there are more negative coments re Bennie than positive SO STAY IN ENGLAND YOU TRATIOR BENNIE and you can go and live with him Sello my Bennie Friend.

Chris3/10/2010 4:22 PM: Whats the big deal, only gonna be three games anyway!

miles3/10/2010 4:14 PM: No decent club even wants benni, blackburn practically had to give him away. Shows he is held in scant regard not only in SA but abroad too - and there are obviously very good reasons for that (starting with his arrogance and lack of loyalty to anyone). He is not even a good player anymore even if he did lose some weight, he is too weak mentally. There seems to be a few odd (lost) souls who still support them, but thats ok, there should be place for stupid people in SA too so let them be.

anon3/10/2010 4:10 PM: Well no TRUE South AFrican wants to watch Benni in the WC. It has taken a burnt out foreigner coach to bring another burnt out player back into the side. Benni is past his sell by date, but years now and it is unacceptable that this person who has stabbed South Africa & true Bafana supporters in the back is playing for a country that cares little for him. Voetsek Benni, let us enjoy the WC without your hypocritical face on the pitch. @ SELLO, what do you know about soccer. You are probably a Benni groupie, a wannabee glory supporter who is not a true bafana supporter.

sean3/10/2010 3:44 PM: NO 1) BAFANABAFANA ARE K...K ! NO 2) BENNY DIDN`T GIVE A F...K ABOUT HIS COUNTRY A WHILE AND HE DOESN`T EVEN DESERVE TO BE IN THE SQUAD !!!

Abza/Sbu3/10/2010 3:32 PM: Bennie must just concentrate on his club football like he did when he resigned from international football, when the nation needed him mostly,he is redundant,and he should make way for young players like Erusmus.If he was wise enough,he should forget about the world cup,because he will embarrass himself in front of the world.

yas3/10/2010 2:37 PM: dnt know wht the big benni deal is there is other players that is more hungry to play for there country and it should be his choice

navarac3/10/2010 1:43 PM: He has never convinced anyone of his commitment to his country. Is he likely to change now?

mzanzi 4 sho3/10/2010 1:25 PM: why cant you player haters just leave benni alone, & this negat vibe when it comes to the swc, is uncalled for, be a real patriot people.

SELLO3/10/2010 1:20 PM: seeps rather inform yourself about what is happening in our football before making frivolous comments, one the previous five have proved we do not have a striker better than Mccarthy, 2. BENNI used to be overweight while at Blackburn he is now more leaner and sharper 3. all the teams we will be playing against are focusing on Pienaar and Mccarthy quiet fairly they are our key players!

Smanga Zulu3/10/2010 1:11 PM: Fat cat! He just wants in on the World Cup money ... Someone lock-up this mampara!!

seeps3/10/2010 1:07 PM: Hmmm I reckon we got enough talent than to turn to this has been. Don't get me wrong a fit Benni and on form will be awesome for us however I don't see him losing the weight or getting to top condition especially knowing how this prima donna works. Here is a guy with the opportunity to cement his name in SA football history but he's too damn lazy. Idiot and waste of skin

P-KAY3/10/2010 12:57 PM: I for one use to be your big fan Bennie.....but this time around i think your time is long overdue buddie...........stop being selfish and play for your club

SELLO3/10/2010 12:48 PM: i bet alan you wiil also not be in the stadium to support bafana; why dont you keep your comment to yourself? BENNI is our best export and you lazily slouching and attacking our best export..........dom!

Amos Lence3/10/2010 12:16 PM: This was long overdue - This is great news for the country... No matter how much we might try and fool ourselves, Benni is the only chance we have in getting goals at the world cup. Mphela is a one man show and is not a convincing Striker... Welcome back Benni - the country is really counting on your fitness...

alan3/10/2010 12:13 PM: Now that the W.C is looming now all of a sudden he is available fit and not so fat Bennie stay in England and play for your club and leave the up and comming loyal players to represent S.A. in the world cup.

JustinD3/10/2010 11:58 AM: He will be ready to watch from his living room.....

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