GRAEME Souness was set to leave it as late as possible before naming his squad to face Leeds United at Ewood Park tomorrow.

Both Dwight Yorke (hamstring) and David Thompson (groin) are struggling but the manager was leaving it until today for them to prove their fitness.

However, Damien Duff and Andy Cole are definitely ruled out.

"Andy and Damien won't make it, which is a major blow but that's football," said a downcast Souness.

"Tommo is the closest but we will have a good look at both him and Dwight today."

Striker Yorke limped off with a hamstring injury in Thursday night's 1-1 draw with CSKA Sofia while Thompson was still feeling the effects of Danny Tiatto's challenge in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City last Sunday, which resulted in the City player being sent off.

"David's knee was shook up in the tackle with Tiatto but hopefully he will make it.

"Cole and Yorke are like Damien Duff, they have muscle injuries which are touch and go. They are the type of injuries you cannot risk.

"They can take weeks, as in Damien's case, but we will keep our fingers crossed for Dwight."

It leaves Souness short up front with Craig Hignett and Egil Ostenstad being called into action on Thursday at Ewood Park and then defender Martin Taylor making a mad dash up front in the last 15 minutes of the game.

But Souness will be hoping he can rely on Ciccio Grabbi to continue his current vein of form.

The Italian striker has scored twice so far this season and Souness thinks there is more to come from him.

"He is obviously not fully fit as he has not played for 90 minutes on a regular basis," said the Ewood chief.

"That is why we took him off against Sofia to try and save him for tomorrow because of our shortage of strikers now.

"But he will have been delighted to score another goal and obviously we hope he can do it more often."

Another worry might be at the other end where, after keeping two clean sheets in the opening two games of the season, Rovers haven't managed to shut up shop since. However, Souness says he is not too worried about the goals against column - as long as his side come up with the goods in attack.

"If you look at the top teams, their game plan is all about the forwards getting goals, not so much about the defence. It makes for great football to watch.

"If you look at the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United, it is all about attacking. The game has changed a lot."

Meanwhile youngster Neil Danns could have his first taste of Premiership football tomorrow after making his senior Rovers debut against the Bulgarian side.

The 19-year-old midfielder earned rave reviews from Souness and he could get another chance tomorrow off the bench.

"He proved he could handle that type of game and now he could get his chance in the Premier League," said Souness.

"But he is only a baby. He is unlikely to start but will be involved."

Now the Rovers gaffer, even in these tough circumstances, just wants to make sure his side end their four game run without a win.

"We have played good football this season. The only game we didn't play well in was against Birmingham and we got the three points.

"We should have won more and should be sitting further up the table with six more points, that is the frustrating thing."