BLACKBURN Rovers' in-form striker Roque Santa Cruz insists it is not just Newcastle United fans who are delighted by Kevin Keegan's sensational return to St James' Park.

After a week of feverish speculation, Geordie legend Keegan was dramatically unveiled as the Magpies' new boss on Wednesday, having been installed as the successor to Sam Allardyce.

It was a stunning move, even by football's standards, but as the Toon Army celebrated the return of The Messiah', Keegan's appointment was greeted even more vigorously in the Blackburn dressing room, because it meant that Mark Hughes was staying at Ewood.

Santa Cruz, who was brought to England by the Rovers boss last summer, said: "If he had gone, I would have been happy for him - if it was something he really wanted. I'd have wished him luck.

"But I've only been at Blackburn for six months and for me personally, it would have been disappointing if he'd left so soon when it's gone so well for me.

"He was the main reason I made the choice to come here. I listened to him and I believed in what he was trying to do.

"I knew what a great player he was and he told me that, as an ex-player, he felt he could help me to improve and develop my career.

"I could tell that he trusted me, and he gave me the chance to play in England, so I want to be able to repay him for that."

Hughes was heavily linked with the Newcastle post and, at one point, he was the bookies' favourite to get the job after Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp decided to reject the Magpies' overtures.

Thankfully, the Newcastle board decided to go for Keegan instead, much to Santa Cruz's relief.

The Paraguayan intern-ational, who is looking to add to his 13-goal tally against Middlesbrough today, said: "There was a lot of rumours around, although I try not to believe anything until it's actually happened.

"But, obviously, it was in people's minds, so it's a relief that it's been sorted out and he's staying with us.

"I've enjoyed working with him and I hope that can go on for much longer.

"I played under some great managers during my time at Bayern Munich, but I rate him very highly.

"He was a great striker in his day, and it's been great to learn off him. "But he's also a strong character and someone who can get the best out of people."