Blackburn have been rocked today by the news that Roque Santa Cruz could be facing surgery on a knee injury suffered after their victory over Birmingham at the weekend. The Paraguayan national team have sent the forward back home to Blackburn after discovering that he was suffering from tendonitis in his knees. Apparently the problem could have developed following a slip in his shower after the Brum game.

A term of absence is not known as yet but you can count Santa Cruz out of Rovers’ next match against Reading on October 20. Owen Hargreaves recently suffered a similar problem, sidelining him for around three weeks although according to the Paraguayan Football Association, there could be a need for surgery. That could mean a longer layoff. With Jason Roberts also a major doubt for the Reading game with a groin injury, it would seem that Derbyshire is likely to partner McCarthy in the short-term at least. He could be a decent proposition if Santa Cruz is to face several weeks on the sidelines.