BLACKBURN Rovers are being made to play the waiting game for Roque Santa Cruz with Manchester City holding out for a permanent transfer.

Rovers boss Steve Kean wanted to secure the Paraguayan’s Ewood Park return on a loan deal until the end of the season but his current employers are prepared to wait for someone to match their asking price.

Sources from both clubs have confirmed discussions have taken place but, with the Ewood Park outfit reluctant to move for him permanently, Kean may eventually be forced to look elsewhere.

Talks remain ongoing, with Santa Cruz himself keen on coming back to Rovers, but both he and City would prefer to tie up a permanent switch this month.

Edin Dzeko’s £27million move to the City of Manchester Stadium, expected within the next 24 hours, could yet see the player and the club reassess the situation – with Rovers leading the way if a loan switch is given the green light.

Santa Cruz would see a move back to Ewood as the best temporary option due to still being based in the North West.

Italian outfit Lazio are also interested in the striker but are unlikely to be willing to meet the asking price for him, which is understood to be around £5million, while Aston Villa and Fulham are also understood to be monitoring his situation.

It is understood Santa Cruz will ultimately leave City this month even if if it does have to be on loan initially, but both player and club are in no hurry as they wait in the hope of receiving a permanent offer.

Santa Cruz’s past injury problems would leave Rovers unlikely to do that and, with Kean looking to add signings in the next few days, their striker search may yet turn elsewhere.

Efforts to bring Damien Duff back to Ewood Park are also understood to have been frustrated, with Fulham upset at the manner news of their interest was made public by Rovers owners.

The Irish midfielder would be keen to come back to East Lancashire having started his career at Rovers and becoming an Ewood Park favourite.

It is understood Rovers could seal Duff’s return with a bid in the region of £4million although Fulham are expected to prove stubborn sellers.

Kean is also considering a bid for Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam although it is understood he faces stiff competition for his signature from Everton among others.