PAUL Ince has warned Premier League defences ‘my big guns are ready to fire’ as he looks for Rovers to rediscover their killer touch.

The Rovers boss believes Roque Santa Cruz’s match-winning intervention at Sunderland in midweek could be a sign of things to come and predicts his fellow ‘stars’ will soon follow suit.

Benni McCarthy will miss this afternoon’s clash with Roy Keane’s Black Cats, after a family bereavement, but Ince is already salivating about reuniting the fully-firing front two.

He also predicts Morten Gamst Pedersen is not far off rediscovering his top form and expects the trio to help end Rovers’ somewhat impotent start to the campaign in front of goal.

Ince also had his final say on Santa Cruz’s future as he again “categorically” stated the Paraguayan was not for sale this January, or at the end of the season, despite constant speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City.

Ince said: “Roque is a big game player, is a fantastic player and him and Benni are our big stars in the team and it is important we get them on the pitch.

“I remember Morts two years ago. He was outstanding when I was watching the Premiership and somewhere along the way he has lost his way.

“I think he is getting there. Each week he gets better, and he has to continue that. He is another big name player who needs to be performing well.

“It is encouraging but they have to be out there on the pitch. It is great to say they are going to come back but it is when they are going to come back and are they going to play 10 games consecutively at the level I expect them to play.

“If we can get them back playing and firing then there is no reason why we can’t get scoring goals.”

Santa Cruz’s Ewood Park future has been shrouded in uncertainty ever since signing a new four-year earlier this season, with former boss Mark Hughes reportedly ready to swoop in January.

Ince though has again rubbished any potential exit, admitting Wednesday night’s Carling Cup intervention proved his importance to the Rovers cause.

“To see Roque come on for 25 minutes was a great boost for everyone,” he said. “If I was prepared to let Roque go there would be no point in him signing a four-year deal.

“At the end of the day he is not going anywhere in January, or at the end of the season as far as I am concerned. I don’t know who is playing these games in the paper but it is the same old story.

“He is a talisman for us and that is why it was such a massive boost for us when he signed a four-year deal. Even being in the changing room on Wednesday night the lads were like 6ft tall.

“When he came on it lifted everyone, he got the goal with his first touch and we went on from there.”

Injuries to Santa Cruz and McCarthy so far this campaign have contributed to a measly goals for tally of just three at home in six games.

But, with a busy December ahead, the Rovers boss is confident his side can regain their firepower at a crucial time - although McCarthy is absent today after the death of his dad.

He said: “Benni wanted to train and wanted to play on Wednesday but I said ‘no’ get yourself out there and see your dad. Our condolences go out to Benni and his family.

“Benni was just starting to show us the player we know he is. It has taken its time but I was feeling pretty confident.

“We are lacking in that area. We are creating chances and are not really taking them. When you look through our team the main big players are Benni and Roque.

“And Roque has been up and down with injuries and Benni has been out. Although our build-up play has been good we are not punishing teams.”