Blackburn manager Mark ‘Sparky’ Hughes today told The Daily Mirror that Rovers’ hitman Roque Santa Cruz is a better buy than Reds’ £26.5million Fernando Torres.

“He compares well with any of the big signings from the beginning of the season.” said Hughes.

“Torres springs to mind, but when you pay £25m you expect a player of that quality and that price to have an impact.

“We paid just over £3m for Roque so pound for pound he is the better buy.” he calculated.