Santa could re-enter on pay as you play

Blackburn Rovers could be making a smart move by offering Roque Santa Cruz a pay as you pay deal to return to his old hunting ground.

Cruz has been one big, handsome flop in Manchester and is desperate to escape his Mancini nightmare – but the Paraguayan is keen to remain the North West (rumour has it).

The People newspaper is first on the scene running the story, closely followed by the prolific Vital Blackburn.

The Sunday People are rocking and rolling with the following – ‘Blackburn are keen to bring back old boy Roque Santa Cruz on a pay-as-you-play basis.

Boss Sam Allardyce is willing to end the striker`s nightmare spell at Eastlands but Manchester City want a fee or a club to pick up his hefty wages on loan.

However, Rovers are worried about his fitness and would prefer to pay in stages. Santa Cruz, 29, will not drop his wages, so the deal can only happen if City subsidise the Paraguayan`s £90,000-a-week salary.

Rovers would be happy to pay per game and are prepared for drawn-out negotiations.’