South African striker Benni McCarthy is pushing for his first start of the campaign after scoring a late equaliser against Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Ince said: “Benni’s been fantastic for the last two weeks.

"He’s been away with South Africa, played a couple of games and scored a couple of goals, he came on against Boro and got a goal.

“He was not taking care of himself. He knows that, and at the end of the day he’s a professional footballer and you (have to) come back ready to train.

“He wasn’t ready to train, but that’s water under the bridge now, he’s back, he’s smiling and happy, and we need Benni McCarthy if we’re going to move forward with this club.

“He looks sharp in training and looks like he’s got that old hunger back.”