MARK Hughes is more convinced than ever that Roque Santa Cruz will prove an Ewood Park sensation.

The Rovers boss has seen enough in the fortnight since the Paraguayan striker joined from Bayern Munich for £3.3 million to re-affirm his opinion that he's got a gem on his hands.

Santa Cruz is poised to make his Premiership debut this afternoon as Rovers head to Middlesbrough, with the possibility of him partnering prolific Benni McCarthy a mouth-watering prospect.

And after being impressed with his new summer signing in training, Hughes admits he can't wait to see the 25-year-old international in full competitive action.

"Roque's been great. I'm looking forward to seeing him play," said the Blackburn manager.

"I'm really excited about the quality he has already shown in training up to this point. I'm even more convinced that he will be a success this year."

"He's only been here two weeks and very quickly he's been embraced by the group.

"He feels very confident and that's maybe a difference for him in coming to an English club. "He feels the whole environment that we have here is more conducive to him in achieving success.

"He looks comfortable, his family is here and he's told me he's got a house organised very quickly."

Competition for places up front is fierce at Rovers this season, with Santa Cruz one of six strikers gunning for a regular spot, along with fellow summer recruit Maceo Rigters, McCarthy, Jason Roberts, Matt Derbyshire and Paul Gallagher.

With such a strikeforce at his disposal, Hughes acknowledges that he will not be able to keep everyone satisfied.

He said: "I am not concerned about keeping them happy - they have to keep me happy.

"They do that by playing well and if they are not in the team by performing in training.

"All the Premier League teams have four strikers - I have five top-quality ones and I am happy with that. "That does not mean one is going to go before the end of the month, absolutely not.

"It gives me great options about varying our approach and that's what I want.

"You have got to have strength in depth, it is a strong league and Europe will make another demand on us."