Rovers aim to tie up Santa Cruz deal

Blackburn are closing in on Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Manager Mark Hughes is hoping to conclude a deal for the highly rated 25-year-old Paraguay international in the next 24 hours.

Hughes said: “We are very hopeful something may happen in that respect.

“Maybe in the next 24 hours a deal could be concluded if the price is right.”

Hughes is already well-off for strikers, with Benni McCarthy, Jason Roberts and Matt Derbyshire and new recruit Maceo Rigters on his books.

Hughes added: “What we don’t have is a real threat in the air and that is something we are looking to address.

“Santa Cruz is a young player, an international with a good reputation who is playing at a top European club.”