Striker Santa Cruz goes back to Blackburn on loan

London: Blackburn Rovers bolstered their attacking options on Friday by signing their former striker Roque Santa Cruz on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old Paraguay international returned to Ewood Park after joining Premier League rivals City in a 17.5 million pound deal in 2009. "Everyone knows what Roque is capable of here and his arrival has already created a real buzz around the place," manager Steve Kean said on the club website (www.rovers.co.uk). "We are really looking forward to giving him a platform on which to show his ability." Santa Cruz scored 29 goals in two seasons at Blackburn, who were taken over by Indian poultry business Venky`s last November, but struggled to establish himself at high-flying Manchester City. "I feel like I am coming home," Santa Cruz said. "This has been the easiest decision of my career. "I want to get playing and scoring goals again and this is a real chance for me to prove myself after a frustrating period.” "Everyone knows what Blackburn Rovers means to me." Bureau Report