Santa Cruz had the decisive say in the 73rd minute of Blackburn's match with Portsmouth as Rovers avenged a league defeat at Ewood Park in September.

The Paraguayan's unstoppable shot after a slick one-two with Jason Roberts was Santa Cruz's 21st goal of the season and clinched a 1-0 win at Fratton Park.

And Hughes denied suggestions he would not be able to resist offers from other clubs for Santa Cruz in the summer.

settled well

He said: "He's been great for us and we are not a selling club.

"You see clubs paying £25-£26million for strikers like Fernando Torres and obviously he's done the business but Santa Cruz came to us (from Bayern Munich) for just over £3million and I'd say that probably makes him, pound for pound, probably the better buy.

"There's been a little bit of mischief in the papers, speculation of us selling top players but that's not going to happen. I'm very happy with the four strikers we have and that will save some money in the summer because that's where most of it has been going lately.

"Roque has come in and settled well. You never know what will happen with foreign players but the fact he's played week-in, week-out has helped him. His body has been able to cope with a few niggles and he's happy of course with his scoring record."