Roque Santa Cruz can fire Blackburn Rovers to Wembley, says Zurab

12:04pm Thursday 13th November 2008

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By Andy Cryer »

ZURAB Khizanishvili is dreaming of Carling Cup glory and insists with Roque Santa Cruz in the side anything is possible.

Santa Cruz set a depleted Rovers on the way to a 2-1 victory in the fourth round at the Stadium of Light last night with his first touch since an injury lay-off – to seal a quarter-final spot.

Khizanishvili is determined to go all the way this time round though, with Rovers having reached three cup semi-finals in the previous four years, and repeat the 2002 Carling Cup triumph.

Santa Cruz's opener came just seconds after his second half arrival as a substitute and when Phil Bardsley put through his own net on 70 minutes, Rovers passage looked secure.

Kenwyne Jones' instant reply set up a tense finish but Ince's injury-ravaged men comfortably held on against a strong Sunderland.

Santa Cruz's inclusion in the squad was a surprise to most, having not featured since injuring a calf in the warm-up against Aston Villa a fortnight ago, but Khizanishvili insists his presence can not be underestimated.

He said: “We will see who comes next but we are looking forward. We have a chance of winning it.

“I would love to win the Carling Cup and afterwards we can talk about the importance of it.

“Roque is our most important player. He is quality, strong, clever and has everything.

“He is great for us and when he is on the pitch he is like our superstar. Who knows what can happen when he plays for us.”