Hughes - Roque deserved award

Rovers boss delighted for striker

By James Dall   Last updated: 12th January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hughes - Roque deserved award

Santa Cruz: Rewarded

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Blackburn boss Mark Hughes believes Roque Santa Cruz 'richly deserved' to be named Barclays Player of the Month for December.

The Paraguay international joined Rovers from Bayern Munich last summer for £3.8million and has enjoyed an impressive start to his career in England.

Santa Cruz has netted 10 league goals already this campaign, and after striking six of those in December, Hughes has hailed his striker.

"He has been fantastic since he's come through the door. Not only have we been impressed by his technical ability and the pace and power that he has, but by his demeanour as well around the place," he said.

A great addition

"He's been a great addition to the squad and the team and we are delighted that he has done so well.

"He has had a difficult time in his football life and outside the game as well which he has been able to overcome.

"It was a big decision for him to come to the Premier League, he could very easily have stayed in Germany but he wasn't prepared to do that, he took it upon himself to get his career back on track and that is what he has done here.

"He richly deserves this award - and I don't think it could have gone to anyone else."