BLACKBURN Rovers have made an offer for a striker with Premier League experience as Benni McCarthy moved a step closer to securing his move to West Ham United.

The Hammers, Rovers’ Premier League opponents this afternoon, were yesterday given the green light to complete the South African’s move - after work permit complications - and he could be paraded before today’s Upton Park clash.

Rovers though have already moved quickly to fill the void left by McCarthy, with a bid slapped in for a potential replacement, believed to be Manchester City striker Benjani.

Sunderland though appear to be leading the chase for the Zimbabwean, who is understood to be available in the region of £1.5million, with Rovers ready to return to their list of alternative strikers.

Manchester City are keen to retain Benjani’s services but, with his contract due to expire this summer, are prepared to let the striker go in pursuit of more regular football.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce confirmed yesterday he was in talks with the player’s agent about a potential move to the North East, and it is believed he is confident in seeing off other interest.

Allardyce revealed yesterday Stoke City striker James Beattie was also a potential target, although the Lancashire Telegraph understand Rovers could be put off by his similarity in style to Jason Roberts and Franco Di Santo and his £3million price tag.

He said: “James Beattie is obviously a former Blackburn player and if Benni goes he might be one that we look at. We know that many players are available and we would see where we go with the finance that is available and what is available for that finance.

“Negotiations are tentative at the moment until Benni is absolutely certain that he is leaving us and then we will see what we can do. We may bring another player in, we may not.

“But if we do bring another player in he will have to have an immediate impact, because if not there is no point as this squad is on the up anyway.”

Meanwhile David Dunn will miss this afternoon’s trip to West Ham with a calf injury but believes a positive next few weeks could lead to an unlikely push towards Europe.

He also claimed fellow Rovers fan Beattie could prove a good signing for the club, should the former Ewood Park striker make his return to his boy-hood club.

He said: “Benni is a top player and has scored a lot of good goals for the club. Good luck to him. He has gone and we have a few new faces in. The rumours are we might bring another striker in which will be good.

“I have not spoke to James Beattie much about the rumours. This would probably be Beatts choice anyway. It is the other stuff that could be the stumbling block. Who knows he is a great player and a player who would do well in the side. It would go down well with the fans. It is always good to have local players in the side.

“The next few games are important for us. If we can win our next few games there is no reason why we can’t push on for the Europa League.”