PAUL Ince is hoping that Roque Santa Cruz won't have to go away on international duty after the striker picked up an injury in yesterday's defeat to Manchester United.

The Rovers number nine sustained a hamstring injury just after half-time forcing his early withdrawal from the Ewood Park match.

But with Paraguay having World Cup qualifiers against Columbia and Peru in the next ten days, Ince is hoping that this time he won't have to travel to South America despite being injured.

"He's done his hamstring," revealed Ince. "We are hoping he doesn't have to travel to Paraguay. We will speak to their doctor.

"It is a stupid rule, he did the same against West Ham when he injured his achilles and he then had to jump on a plane for 14 hours so we are trying to prevent that, but you just don't know what is going to happen."