The forgotten man at Manchester City, the World Cup will be an important tournament for Roque Santa Cruz.

After a season ruined by injury, the former Bayern Munich striker will be determined to prove that he still has a future at Eastlands – or at least put himself in the shop window should City decide he is surplus to requirements.

It’s an unfortunate predicament, because when he’s fully fit, Santa Cruz is a class act with pedigree.

During his time in Germany, the striker won the European Cup, five Bundesliga titles and four German Cups.

But the arrival of Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni to the Bayern set up limited Santa Cruz’s opportunities and subsequently left the club to join Mark Hughes at Blackburn in 2007.

The striker enjoyed a fine first season in England, scoring 23 goals, and even though he suffered a disjointed second year at Ewood Park, it didn’t stop Hughes signing him for a second time at City.

But this season injury and the form of Carlos Tevez and Craig Bellamy has limited the Paraguayan to few appearances. The finals in South Africa will be the perfect time to remind everyone just how good he is for Paraguay.