ROQUE Santa Cruz insists he was right to pull out of his country's World Cup qualifiers - emphasised by his stunning display for Rovers in their resounding win over Reading.

The 26-year-old striker withdrew from international duty a fortnight ago, missing Paraguay's matches against Peru and Uruguay, after an MRI scan revealed he was suffering from tendonitis to his knees.

And his decision to rest his knees has worked to both Santa Cruz and Rovers' benefit.

Santa Cruz was fit to start against Reading on Saturday, and he turned in a top-class performance at Ewood Park, scoring one and providing another for strike partner Benni McCarthy in a thumping 4-2 victory.

"It was a very important game for us and we wanted to win so that is why I put everything into being ready for it," said the former Bayern Munich ace.

"Not to play in the national team was a real help for my knees and to score so quickly in the game was great for the team.

"I don't need injections - it is not as bad as that. It is bearable and I can put up with the situation so it should not be a problem to carry on playing.

"I am going to keep working on my movements and carry on in training and even if there is a little pain it is nothing I cannot handle.

"That is why I am relaxed and ready for the next game."

Santa Cruz took his season's goal-tally to six with his solitary strike against Reading, while McCarthy's brace also moved him to half a dozen.

The South African was dropped by manager Mark Hughes last month as the striker struggled for form.

But on his first start in five matches, McCarthy was back to his best, and Santa Cruz is delighted to see his partner in the groove again.

He said: "Benni is a great player and very easy to play with and I am enjoying every game I have with him.

"Everybody hurts when you are out of the first team.

"He dealt with it the right way by carrying on training and proving in training he should be in the team. That is what we are seeing at the moment.

"Benni is very comfortable. I have seen him training the same way as he played against Reading, so it was no surprise to me that he got his goals.

"I think we will carry on seeing him in the same shape that he has shown in the last two games.

"I think we will score a lot of goals together. I am very excited about the future."