ROQUE Santa Cruz goes into tonight's home date with Sunderland (kick-off 8pm) hoping to continue with the sensational goal-scoring form that has made him the Premier League's most talked-about striker over the festive period.

With eight goals in his last five outings, Santa Cruz has really started to blossom, but manager Mark Hughes reckons he has not been at all surprised.

"Roque is a top class striker - I knew that when I signed him," said the Rovers boss. "He has all the attributes and is currently reaping the benefit of a good long run in the team - perhaps the first time it has happened in his career so far - and his form is clearly magnificent.

"He is carrying some bumps and bruises, but he is keen to keep playing and that is a measure of the man.