Benni McCarthy has warned Blackburn team-mate Roque Santa Cruz to think twice before deciding to leave Ewood Park.

Santa Cruz's future has been the subject of intense speculation for some time with the player admitting a desire to play for a more ambitious club.

Manchester City are believed to be lining up a bid for the Paraguayan when the transfer window reopens, with former Rovers boss Mark Hughes apparently keen to be reunited with Santa Cruz.

McCarthy, whose own future has also been the subject of conjecture, has urged Santa Cruz to stay put, warning him he might not be appreciated as much away from Ewood Park.

"My message to Roque is that the grass is really not that green on the other side," said McCarthy. "Life is always harder. Here, you are appreciated and loved, but go elsewhere, and you have to start all over again.

"That makes it really, really hard to get going and who knows whether you will be as popular as you were at your previous club when you join your next one?

"Blackburn is a fantastic place to be. It is a great family club and, when you play here and you are a family-orientated person, it is amazing.

"It is very close-knit, the people are nice and they always try to do everything they can for you and your family to make you feel at home.

"That is the most important thing you can have in football because, if your family life is good, then the football side will get the best out of you."