Blackburn boss Hughes claims scoring sensation Santa's not fit

The in-form striker scored both goals as Rovers came from behind to clinch a 2-2 draw at Manchester City on Thursday, making it seven goals in four games for the Paraguay international.

The 26-year-old's progress at Bayern Munich was hampered by a string of injuries but he has established himself as a key figure at Ewood Park since his summer move from Germany.

The £3.8million signing scored three goals in his first four games for Rovers, and despite later failing to score in seven, he has since hit a rich vein of form, taking his tally for the season to 13.

"He was excellent again (against Manchester City)," said Hughes.

"There's a lot of pressure on his shoulders but he's leading the line well and leading the fight for us.

"He's getting his goals and he's doing it when he's still not 100% fit. He's carrying little knocks and niggles but he is going out and doing a job for us.

"I have to say, I've been surprised with how he has coped with the demands that have been placed on him.

"He wasn't playing regular football in Germany. He was in and out of the Bayern Munich team and had injuries as well.

"But he has come here and made a huge impact, not only on us but on the Premier League as a whole. I think everybody likes watching him play and we're benefiting from it."

Santa Cruz will be hopeful of continuing his scoring run against struggling Derby tomorrow, while Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts will aim to earn a recall to the starting line-up.

The impressive form of Santa Cruz has pushed them down the pecking order, with Roberts having handed in a transfer request and McCarthy rumoured to be considering a move away from Ewood Park.

Hughes has said he does not want either player to leave in next month's transfer window, although the Rovers boss hinted he may have to sell first if he decides to bring new players in.

"I usually only work in the January transfer market if I feel I can bring people in that will improve us," he said.

"It's very difficult to do that in January, and more often than not I do most of my work in the transfer market at the end of the season, leading into the next season.

"We'll see what's available and see what happens, but I haven't got a great deal of finance. Everybody knows that's the situation here."