But now the 30 year old is sick of having Roque Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts, Matt Derbyshire and Robbie Fowler ahead of him in the pecking order and wants to prove he can be just as good as he was in his first season at Ewood Park.
McCarthy told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It's like a never-ending story for me, but it's good for the manager. With so many wanting the chance, it makes it almost impossible to pick a team.
"I'm just taking my time and any opportunity that springs my way, I'll try to take full advantage.
"I know I've still got the knack, it's being given the opportunity. When you don't play, then you doubt yourself.
"It's been annoying with the injuries. You think 'oh, maybe now I'm going to get my chance', then there's a niggle or an injury. It goes from an irritation to two weeks out then four weeks, then it's an international break.
"The most important thing is just getting off the mark. Once that first one goes in, then the confidence comes back."