Roque ready for Gunners

Roque Santa Cruz should be fit to face Arsenal in the Premier League on September 13 after declaring himself available for Paraguay.

Paraguay take on Argentina in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Saturday but Santa Cruz had been a doubt because of the Achilles problem that forced him to limp out of the 4-1 drubbing by West Ham.

However, the Ewood favourite said: "I feel good. This injury is less significant than another one I had in the past.

"I want to play on Saturday. If not, I will let another player take my place. We have other good forwards."

Paraguay team doctor Manuel Aguilar added: "If we can use him in the second half it would be a boost."

Blackburn chairman John Williams told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "At Upton Park, the feeling was that he might be okay for the second game (against Venezuela), but with the comments he's made the signs are positive.

"It's a massive game for them on Saturday, and if he is fit he will want to play, which is good for us that he gets the games in after coming off early against West Ham."