The recently-arrived Rovers boss has endured a turbulent welcome to life in the Premier League since he replaced Mark Hughes at Ewood Park.

He has seen influential squad members David Bentley and Brad Friedel leave for Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively, while a number of his other stars have been strongly linked with moves elsewhere.

Of those whose future has been called into question, Santa Cruz has figured more than most.

Manchester United, Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City are all reported to have shown an interest in the Paraguayan hitman, although no official approach has been lodged.

Santa Cruz insists he is happy at Blackburn and believes that Ince will prove to be a shrewd appointment once he has been given time to settle in.

"There's a time where you are getting to know each other," he said in The Sun.

"We are trying to understand what the new manager wants and is trying to bring to the team.

"It will be an interesting season after the moves going on here.

"We need to prove we can continue without some players who were key last season."