By Andy Neild, of our sister newspaper, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph

ROVERS boss Graham Souness is preparing his players for the worst case scenario ahead of Sunday's final home game of the season.

Rovers could secure second spot with a win over Pompey if Bolton lose at Barnsley.

But Souness hasn't made special arrangements for his squad to watch the Wanderers match together.

And he insists his troops must concentrate solely on their own task rather than relying on others.

"We are focused purely on winning our next two games, it's as simple as that," said Souness.

"We need two wins from our next three games and that's the only way we can look at it.

"Of course we are interested in what happens elsewhere but we are preparing ourselves for the worst case scenario.

"We can't afford to start relying on anyone else.

"We've got to assume that Bolton will win all of their three remaining games.

"That's been my experience in the past and that's how I will always look at things in the future -- it's the only way."