There’s plenty of buzz around Roque Santa Cruz right now and thing escalated early this evening with quotes from the player indicating that he would seek a move away from Rovers in January. More significantly perhaps for fantasy managers in the short-term – he has also revealed that he is a doubt for tomorrow’s encounter with Stoke…

Let’s get the injury out of the way first. Santa Cruz revealed today that he had tweaked his calf muscle in training this morning and was therefore a doubt for tomorrow’s clash with Stoke. There are limited reports so far and little information on his chances of making the game, although given his comments to the press today, you have to wonder whether Allardyce will leave him out if there’s any doubt over his fitness.

The news comes as a bitter blow to those fantasy managers who bought him in this week although there’s every chance he’ll shake off the knock of course. Sadly the news broke just an hour after my picks went up – apologies for that.

Long-term, the future of the Paraguayan remains in flux. There were plenty of reports on Sam’s arrival that Santa Cruz would be sold to raise funds. Similarly there have been claims from Allardyce that none of his key players will be sold. However, today Santa Cruz himself appeared to put his cards on the table when it comes to his future come the January window…

“If a bigger club came in for me then I would like to take that opportunity…I want to watch out for myself but I have to think of Blackburn. It is a very hard decision,” remarked the striker.

There are also rumours that he has a clause in this existing contract that would enable him to talk to suitors should a bid of £17 million arrive. Mark Hughes is likely to be well aware of such a clause if that is the case.

It all points to an interesting month for Santa Cruz – the question for fantasy managers is just how will all the inevitable speculation affect him on the pitch. He certainly has the fixtures to thrive over Christmas but with today’s news of the calf injury and the heightened speculation, suddenly the Paraguayan looks more a gamble than ever.