Boss: We can cover Benitez.

Byline: Colin Tattum

ALEX McLeish has backed his other strikers to make light of Christian Benitez's absence at Burnley.

Benitez is in Ecuador caring for his father Ermen, who suffered head injuries in a road accident.

As he was due to fly home for his country's World Cup qualifiers on Sunday, the timescale of the travelling involved was also problematic. "We've got plenty of other options," said McLeish.

"We would have liked him to have been one of the options, but it's not to be.

''I've got good players who can certainly slot in there."

McLeish added: "We understand that his father is not in danger. That was the biggest concern, how bad he was.

"He got shunted from behind in his car.

''He burst his head open and suffered neck injuries. We wish him a speedy recovery.

"Christian wanted to come back if he felt his dad was okay, so maybe he feels as if he should be with him at the moment."

Garry O'Connor and Kevin Phillips are McLeish's other alternatives, bearing in mind Cameron Jerome and Marcus Bent remain sidelined through injury. And James McFadden could be available after a thigh problem.

As for rumours that Benitez departed on Sunday night due to a bust-up or dissatisfaction with the manager or Blues, McLeish said: "Absolute rubbish. Nonsense. It disgusts me that people try to stir things up this way."

CAPTION(S):

Options: Strikers Garry O'Connor, Kevin Phillips or James McFadden could fill the gap left by Christian Benitez.