Red-hot Roque playing through the pain

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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.

"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 added: "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 on Sunday, 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.