Pump up the volume

Bolton's 1-1 draw with Stockport last night meant that Rovers dropped backdown to third in the First Division table.

But, with another bumper crowd in excess of 23,000 expected for the visit of Sheffield United, Souness believes the club's supporters can play a bigpart in helping to shoot his side back into the automatic promotion places.

"After last night's result at the Reebok it has put us in an even better position," said Souness.

"So it's there for us now and, with the help of our supporters, we can achieve what we all want.

"If the fans can get behind us tonight and create an atmosphere then it can only help.

"What I don't want is a repeat of the Wimbledon game when it was a bit flat after we had beaten Birmingham.

"So the players have to do their bit but the fans can certainly do their bit, too.

"We're at home again, it's a chance to get another three points in the bag, and I'd like to think the players and supporters are all looking forward to it as much as I am."

Rovers have slashed ticket prices to just a fiver for tonight's game in a bid to get as many fans behind the team's promotion push as possible.

And Souness is confident the bumper crowd will help to raise his side as they attempt to avenge the 2-0 defeat they suffered at Bramall Lane back inSeptember.

"They gave us a grilling in the first 45 minutes at their place and, although wegot back into it in the second half, they deserved to beat us on the night," said Souness.

"I just hope that is maybe fresher in our players' minds than what we did on Sunday.

"The momentum is with us at present but we could easily lose that if we take our foot off the gas.

"We might have to win seven of our last 10 games and if we don't do thatthen we'll have to reaccess the situation."

With just 10 games to go, Rovers' destiny lies firmly in their own hands.

But Souness has laughed off talk that his squad will start to feel the pressure as they enter the run-in.

"Pressure? What's pressure? If you want to know what pressure is then speak to these farmers who are under pressure," said Souness.

"The pressure for us is to win tonight and nothing more.

"And then what happens after that should take care of itself.

"I certainly don't think these lads are feeling the pressure.

"They are young lads who want to play football and it's all about trying to repeat our second half performance from Sunday.

"And, if we do that, then we've got a chance tonight."

Damien Duff, Matt Jansen and Henning Berg have all been passed fitenough to take their place in the squad.

But Souness has hinted Duff may only make the sub's bench after pulling amuscle against Burnley on Sunday.

"If it was the last game of the season then Damien would be fit enough toplay," said Souness.

"But with a lot of important games coming up we might have to take a view on it."

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Short, Berg, Gillespie,McAteer, Dunn, Duff, Flitcroft, Mahon, Bent, Jansen, Hughes, Berkovic, Hignett, Keller, Filan.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock is sweating on the fitness of Laurent D'Jaffo and Darren Bullock.

Both face a race to be fit after picking up knocks in the Steel City derby winover Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.

However, Michael Brown, Lee Sandford, Robert Ullathorne and AndyMorrison all look certain non-starters.

United are likely to choose from: Tracey, Kozluk, Murphy, Curle, Ndlovu,Devlin, Ford, D'Jaffo, Asaba, Ullenbeek, Bullock, Montgomerie, Suffo, Kelly, Thetis, Thomas, Brown, Talia.

Fans are reminded that tickets are available right up until kick off tonight

This report comes courtesy of our sister paper the Lancashire Evening Telegraph