Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, who last week signed for West Ham United in the hope of reviving his prospects of representing South Africa in the World Cup, now has a new problem. McCarthy limped off the pitch with a knee injury and failed to come out for the second half of the Hammers 2-1 defeat to Burnley on Saturday. 

West Ham says there is no conclusive medical report on the extent of the injury, but McCarthy is regarded a doubtful starter for the crucial home game against Birmingham City tomorrow. McCarthy made a bright start against Burnley, but the lack of fitness that has blighted him all season was later apparent even before suffering his injury. 

Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who is currently in Europe to plead for the release of players for his World Cup camp in Brazil next month, seems set to be deprived of McCarthy, as well as most of South Africa's other overseas-based players.