Blackburn boss Mark Hughes believes his strikers offer great value for money after Benni McCarthy agreed a new deal to stay until 2011.The South Africa international, who has scored 11 goals this season, has signed a two-year extension to his existing contract to kill off speculation of a move away from Lancashire.

McCarthy joined Blackburn from Portuguese champions Porto in June, 2006 for £2.5 million and scored 24 times in his first year at Ewood.

The 30-year-old has not been as prolific this season and has started recent games on the bench.

But Hughes was keen to ensure that he remained part of his long-term plans and was delighted to clinch the deal following the successful conclusion of contract talks held over recent weeks.

Hughes's eye for a good deal was further underlined last summer when he paid just £3.8 million for Roque Santa Cruz and the Blackburn boss believe the acquisition from Bayern Munich has proved to be his shrewdest ever bit of transfer business.

Cruz has rewarded Hughes's faith with 20 goals this term, including one against Manchester United last weekend when he successfully filled a right-sided midfield role in the 1-1 draw.

And ahead of his side's meeting with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday Hughes reserved praised the for the Paraguay international on his debut season.

"For the amount of money that I paid for him it is pound for pound my best deal," Hughes added.

"I think we saw his importance to his team and the versatility and the work ethic that he has last week.

"He was given a specific role against United and it was dropped on his toes somewhat but he picked up the baton and ran with it, and I thought he was exceptional on the day.

"He still got in good positions to get strikes on goal, scored his goal and his all-round game was exceptional."

Cruz arrived at Blackburn with doubts over his fitness record but is in line to start his 34th Premier League game of the season on Sunday to underline his value for money.

"I'm sure everyone was aware of Roque and most clubs looked at him before I took the plunge and put my money where mouth was and I'm delighted that I backed my judgement and brought him here," Hughes added.

"People who looked closely at him and didn't take the plunge are probably regretting it.

"Prior to him coming here there were real doubts about whether or not he could sustain his fitness for a full season and a season in a physically demanding league that the Premier League is.

"Obviously that was a doubt before we kicked off this season but I think he's benefited from the fact that he's been playing week-in week-out and he's getting stronger by the day."

More Football News from TEAMtalk