Reports claimed the South African got changed and went home in anger after being taken off in the 61st minute of Rovers' 3-1 Barclays Premier League win at Ewood Park.

Hughes claims no such thing happened and insists there has been no need for "clear-the-air" talks with his top scorer.

Hughes said: "People keep on telling me that he has stormed off down the tunnel and 'left the building', so to speak, but I spoke to Benni about it after the game.

"Obviously, he was dressed in his suit because he had been taken off early but he was still there at the end of the game.

"It's just one of those stories where possibly people are trying to make mischief, that's all it was. We're fine."

McCarthy has netted eight times this season in all competitions and Hughes is looking forward to seeing him score plenty more in the coming months.

The 30-year-old suffered the disappointment of being left out of the South Africa squad for the African Nations Cup this week but Hughes is backing him to continue delivering the goods in the Premier League.

"We're delighted with that decision because it helps our situation," Hughes said.

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Hughes has also denied any suggestions the club may have had an influence in the former Porto star's surprise omission from his country's squad.

He added: "It is not something we were privy to prior to the squad being picked. That was the decision of the South African FA."