Sam Allardyce is giving the green light for Blackburn Rovers to sell striker Roque Santa Cruz.

The Daily Mail says Allardyce will sell striker Santa Cruz next month to raise the cash to wheel and deal his way out of relegation danger.

The 54-year-old former Bolton and Newcastle boss agreed a three-year contract at Ewood Park on Wednesday, the day after an anxious Blackburn board sacked Paul Ince.

Rovers will now give Allardyce the £10million they were reluctant to give Ince but the new man looks certain to increase his spending power by selling Santa Cruz.

Manchester City manager Mark Hughes, having already failed with two bids for the unsettled Paraguay striker, is ready to meet his old club's £20million valuation in the January transfer window.