We don't believe in Santa: 'Over the hill' City striker can't find a new club

Santa Cruz issues a come-and-get-me-plea to likes of Wigan, Blackburn and Bolton as he wants to stay in the north-west for family reasons

Roque Santa Cruz is set to be frustrated in his Manchester City escape bid - because the other Premier League clubs fear he is past it.

The 30-year-old Paraguay international hit seven goals in 33 games while on loan at Spain's Real Betis last season.

Now, Santa Cruz is again surplus to requirements at City and while the striker wants to stay on in England, rival clubs are not keen.

West Ham are concerned about his injury record and believe he is not the player he was and Fulham's priority is their attempt to sign Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on loan.

QPR - managed by Santa Cruz's former boss Mark Hughes - are also lukewarm about taking him on.

The hitman has now appealed to the likes of Wigan, Bolton and former club Blackburn to help him stay in the Manchester area.

Santa Cruz said: "A north-west club would be ideal. I don't want to keep moving my kids back and forth, it is not good to move them year after year.

"I would like to come back to the area permanently. We love the area, want to send the kids to the schools here, have everything we need there and feel at home."

Santa Cruz has managed just three goals and 20 appearances in the Premier League since joining City from Blackburn in a £17.5million deal three years ago.

But he insisted: "I never regret anything, I had a good season in Spain and it was good to see them [City] doing so well.

"It was a great achievement they won the title and it was very special the way it happened.

"I have a lot of friends at City I appreciate the club and it was great to see them win the league.

"It was a frustrating time for me at City, the manager has a choice to use players he think he can trust and bring players in that he has confidence in."