Santa Cruz has made 41 appearances for Blackburn (Getty)

Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz has admitted he is delighted with the way he has acquitted himself to the pace of English football.

The 26-year-old Paraguay international has scored 21 goals in his first campaign, including the winner against Portsmouth on Sunday.

"Once you start scoring goals the confidence goes up," Santa Cruz told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"But the team has been making enough chances to help me score."

Santa Cruz joined Rovers for �3.8 million from Bayern Munich in July, but admitted he never expected to make such an impact during his debut season.

I think the team will put in everything, we've got to give ourselves a chance Roque Santa Cruz

"I was hoping to score between 12 and 15 goals. But since I've scored these goals I'm enjoying the game more but will not put more pressure on myself," he said.

Blackburn boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Uefa Cup via the Intertoto competition after victory at Fratton Park. And Santa Cruz is confident it is achievable.

"I feel if we hadn't won then it would have been difficult," he added. "But I think the team will put in everything, we've got to give ourselves a chance."