Kean considers Santa Cruz switch

Santa Cruz has made 80 appearances in two spells with Blackburn

Blackburn boss Steve Kean says he would not rule out bringing Roque Santa Cruz back to the club despite his fitness problems while on loan last season.

The 29-year-old failed to score in 10 appearances on his return to Rovers from Manchester City, completing 90 minutes only twice.

Kean told BBC Radio Lancashire: “It was tough for Roque. He picked up a couple of knocks that niggled away at him.

“It was just difficult for him to get to full speed quickly enough.”

The Blackburn manager has admitted that all three of his loan signings in the 2010/11 season are potential targets again for next term.

Being around the place and showing his quality every day in training, he showed us how good he is Blackburn manager Steve Kean on Roque Santa Cruz

With Santa Cruz heading back to Eastlands, fellow striker Mame Biram Diouf has returned to Manchester United and United States international Jermaine Jones is back in Germany with Schalke.

“We have to respect the parent clubs,” said Kean. “When the lads came on loan we tried to fix prices straight away and we couldn’t do that.

“Now the loan periods are up, we’ll be in contact with those clubs and see if they are available first and foremost. And, if they are and we have got the funds to pursue, that is something we can take a view on.”

Despite his lack of goals and time on the pitch, Kean said Santa Cruz made a big impression on him between January and May.

“Being around the place and showing his quality every day in training, he showed us how good he is,” commented the 43-year-old.

“It was just difficult because he’s been out so long that he wasn’t at full speed quick enough to give us the impact on the pitch in the games that he played.”

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