BLACKBURN Rovers striker Benni McCarthy is ready to take the Premiership by storm after striking up an instant rapport with fellow new-boy Jason Roberts.

Mark Hughes' two main summer signings have already made a big impression during their short careers as Blackburn players, both scoring twice on their home debuts in last week's 5-0 hammering of New Zealand.

Now McCarthy reckons Rovers' new double act can wreak similar havoc in the Premiership, and, with both players desperate to do well for their new club, the South African believes that hunger to succeed can help the team scale new heights over the next 10 months.

Paying tribute to his new strike-partner, McCarthy said: "Jason is in another class. We understand each other so well, and we talk and communicate and help each other out.

"If you come into a team and have a striker that's strong and helps you then it makes your job so much easier.

"Jason wants to get better, I want to get better, and we seem to be developing a great partnership together.

"I think it's good for the club if you've got two enthusiastic players who want to do well, want to score goals, and just want to help the team get off to the best start possible."

McCarthy has wasted little time sharpening his senses in readiness for his first ever season as a Premiership player.

After opening his goal-account with a perfectly executed volley in the recent 3-2 friendly win against Alemannia Aachen, the former Porto ace then took his pre-season tally to three in three games with another brace against the Kiwis last Saturday.

Those goals have given McCarthy a vital confidence boost going into the new season, and the 28-year-old has also been blown away by the speed with which the fans appear to have taken him to their hearts.

"When you score a few early on, it helps you to feel more comfortable at a new club," said McCarthy, who was given a standing ovation following his two-goal salvo at the weekend.

"It's unbelievable when you get a reception like that.

"It makes you want to perform and want to play at your best.

"I wanted to come to Blackburn because it's a serious team, it's a team that's got a great future, everyone's so professional, and they want to win silverware.

"I still want to learn a great deal at this club, and I know I've still got a lot to give.

"The way we played (on Saturday), and the reception I got from the fans - everything just went perfectly for me, and for the team.

"I just hope we can pick up from where we left off and start off well in the Premier League."

As for Saturday's curtain raiser against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, McCarthy confessed he may struggle to get some sleep between now and his date with destiny, having waited so long to fulfil his dream of a move to the Premiership.

"I'm actually starting to get a bit nervous now because we're just a few days away from when the Premiership starts," added the South African.

"I'm starting to get butterflies just thinking about it, so I think it's good that I've managed to get off to a good start by scoring a couple of goals early on."