Santa Cruz: I won't take any more risks with injuries

10:50am Saturday 6th September 2008

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By Jason Kayley »

BLACKBURN Rovers striker Roque Santa Cruz has admitted he’s putting club before country in a bid to recovery from injury.

The 27-year-old hobbled out of last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at West Ham United with an Achilles injury, but was hoping to be fit in time to play for Paraguay against Argentina in Buenos Aries tonight.

But the Rovers hitman, who cost £3.3million from Bayern Munich in 2007 and scored 23 goals in his first season in England, is realistic and may feature against Venezuela on Tuesday.

“I wanted to recover, but it proved very difficult,” said Santa Cruz.

“In spite of help by doctors, I won't play unless I'm 100 per cent in my physical condition.

“Years ago, I would play even if injured but I will no longer go through that suffering.”

He added: “I still don't know whether I can play against Argentina but the injury is coming on okay.

“I am not fully fit yet but the pain is less each day. We'll see how it reacts. If I'm not fine, I'll keep training to play against Venezuela."”

But Paraguay coach Gerado Martino has refused to rule out Santa Cruz, or strike partner Salvador Cabanas, out of the crunch clash He said: “I don't rule them out at all. They did not train with us but it doesn't mean they will not play.

“I cannot confirm the team yet because we are waiting for the injured men. We will wait and see if they recover. We want to know what the doctors say."

Meanwhile, several other Rovers players will be in action over the weekend including Australian stars Brett Emerton and Vince Grella who will come face-to-face with Ewood colleague Andre Ooijer as the Aussies take on Holland in Eindhoven tonight.

But Carlos Villanueva has been left out of the Chile squad which takes on Brazil and Colombia over the next couple of days.

Troubled Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton will miss the Toon’s game against Blackburn on Saturday, September 27 after being hit with a minimum six-match ban and £25,000 fine by the Football Association for his attack on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo last May.

The full length of Barton’s ban is 12 games but six of those are suspended until the end of the 2009-2010 season.

The 26-year-old was given the punishment by an independent disciplinary panel yesterday for last year’s altercation with Dabo when both were players at Manchester City.

The four-man panel, which included former England manager Graham Taylor, took just under two hours to reach their verdict, which now sees Barton ruled out of action until October 25 at least.

He had previously admitted the charge of violent conduct in August, but requested a personal hearing in an attempt to plead leniency. He has now has two weeks to appeal the verdict.