Roque Ince-ing to fitness

Blackburn boss Paul Ince won't take any risks on Roque Santa Cruz's fitness and could name him on the bench again tomorrow.

The Paraguayan is hoping to start against Sunderland this weekend after returning from two weeks out with a goal in Wednesday's Carling Cup victory over Roy Keane's side.

But the Ewood Park boss says he won't be rushing his 'talisman' back and risking Santa Cruz suffering a new injury.

"He was keen to start (at Sunderland) but that was never going to be the case as he has been out for two weeks," Ince told Sky Sports News.

"His season has been very stop-start, even though it is early doors it has been very stop-start for Roque and you have got to take care of him.

"I always planned to give him 25-30 minutes (against Sunderland) irrespective of what the score was just to give him some minutes on the park and I am sure he will be chomping at the bit to start tomorrow."

Ince added: "He has been missed the last couple of weeks, even though we have played well I thought and deserved more points than we got.

"He is our talisman and just to see him in the changing room on Wednesday gave everybody a lift and when he came on when the game was evenly balanced that lifted us again and spurred us on and he scored with his first touch.

"It just shows how important he is to Blackburn Rovers Football Club and how important it is to get him fit and keep him playing week-in and week-out."