Loyal Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira may still be taking a leaf out of The Hollies song book by declaring about over-weight, seemingly still unfit Benni McCarthy: "He ain't heavy, he's my brother."

But Bafana's forthright Brazilian physical trainer, Francisco Gonzalez, has declared in an interview with Rio de Janeiro newspaper O Globo over the week-end that the controversial McCarthy was still "too fat" in spite of his inclusion in a 29-man provisional World Cup squad.

McCarthy, who has not played a single complete first-team match since joining West Ham United from Blackburn Rovers more than three-and-a-half months ago, will seemingly have to improve his physical condition dramatically in order to gain a valid place in Parreira's final;ised 23-player World Cup squad - which is due to be announced in two weeks.

"We will offer him all the support we can to get him into suitable shape," said Gonzalez, "but ultimately it will be up to him to make a supreme effort because currently his body fat is too high.

"His physical state is inferior to the other players," added Gonzalez, "and that is not good.

"Will he be fit enough to be chosen in two weeks time? Only the coach can give you the answer."

But Gonzalez did not mince his words. "To play in a World Cup you have to be in physically top condition," he said. "Benni McCarthy at this time is not in that condition."

"He has to help us help him," added the Bafana trainer. "We are only going to launch his preparation. From then on it will be up to him."

Emphasising the task that lies ahead for Bafana's battling striker is the fact that his match time in 15 weeks in which he was initially hampered by injuries amounts to two matches in which he was in West Ham's starting line-up - but did not finish the regulation 90 minute - and three others in which he played largely insignificant roles as a late substitute.