Benjani says he is fit for weekend Wigan clash

Blackburn Rovers striker Benjani Mwaruwari says that his removal from the pitch last weekend was purely precautionary and that he feels ready to recapture his goal-scoring touch for Sam Allardyce’s struggling side.

Benjani scored his first Premier League goal for 22 months in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Ewood Park and was then substituted after 45 minutes – but the 32 year-old Zimbabwean has moved to assuage fears that he could be set for a spell on the sidelines, attributing his removal to a tightening of the hamstring.

Despite not having produced a regular supply of goals since his time at Portsmouth, Benjani says he is confident that he can fire Blackburn out of trouble as they look to match last season’s top half finish.

The Lancashire Telegraph quotes Benjani as saying: “Always from a striker you expect goals. I am working very hard to get the goals. I haven’t played for a long time but now I am feeling better on the pitch and I hope I can get goals soon.

“If you are a striker you need sharpness and I think I am getting there. We have lots of good strikers here and it is about working hard and when I get the chance to play to make sure I take it. I do feel more confident now. It all depends on the manager though and the system we play – let’s hope in the future I play.

“The gaffer was just cautious and I’m definitely okay for the next match. I’m starting to feel my fitness is coming back and let’s hope I play more in the future. I’m almost there, I just need more playing time. They [the Ewood Park faithful] are the best crowd. As long as we are giving them what they need they will support.” Sport.co.uk