Blackburn Rovers striker Benjani wants to repay Sam Allardyce's faith in him and fire the goals to help propel his new side up the Premier League table this season.

The 32-year-old Zimbabwe international has struggled to get first team football of any kind over the last two seasons, with only 26 appearances during that period.

After showing goalscoring form at Portsmouth he was snapped up by Manchester City, but a combination of bad luck with injuries and also the Eastlands' club's big-spending to attract players to win the Premier League title meant he did not get a look-in.

Benjani spent a period of time on loan at Sunderland but it was not fruitful, and the striker is now looking to recapture his previous glory at Ewood Park. Although the Premier League top scorer odds suggest he won't make it to the 20 goal mark, he could get into double figures.

He has told the Lancashire Telegraph he has come to Rovers to "prove myself" and is willing to "fight hard" for a first-team place under Allardyce.

"You need to work hard and repay any team that gives you an opportunity. I am no different and I want to make sure Sam Allardyce doesn't regret giving me my chance," Benjani said.

"I'm happy to be here and I will try and fight hard. It is not going to be easy to break into the team because there are some players who are playing really well at the moment. It's going to be hard for me."

The Premier League relegation tips suggest Blackburn are in for another tough season, but good team spirit could see them finish in the top half.

Benjani could get his opportunity for revenge on his own employers when Blackburn travel to Eastlands to face Manchester City in their next Premier League game on September 11th.