BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today called on fans to cheer his team to Cardiff as Rovers prepare for one of the biggest games in their history at Ewood tonight.

It's 42 years since Rovers last reached a major domestic final when they lost to Wolves in the FA Cup.

But Souness hopes to emulate that achievement by plotting the downfall of Sheffield Wednesday in tonight's Worthington Cup semi-final second leg.

And the Ewood chief believes the fans could have a massive part to play.

"As always, our fans have a massive role to play," said Souness.

"We had tremendous support at Old Trafford on Saturday and I'm hoping for more of the same tonight.

"Wednesday have got a decent following themselves so we need our fans to do their bit as well.

"Cup finals are fantastic and I'd love to get their for our players because they've worked so hard.

"But it's also vital we do it for our supporters because they've given us tremendous backing all season."

Souness knows exactly what it feels like to taste cup success after winning a host of trophies during his time as a player and manager with clubs like Liverpool and Rangers.

But he would love to add to that collection with Rovers -- who lead 2-1 from the first leg -- especially as victory would provide the club with a passport into Europe.

"Cup finals are special occasions and it's not just about the 90 minutes.

"It's the build-up to them, the hype, and all the media interest which surrounds it and we've also got the added incentive of a possible place in Europe up for grabs.

"But we can't afford to start thinking too far ahead. We've got a job to do against Wednesday tonight first.

"They were direct and in our faces in the first leg but we are hoping we can get it down and pass it a bit more than we did in the first game.

"I thought we did that for a spell in the first half when we got our goals but then we let them back in it and made things awkward for ourselves."

Souness may again decide to stick with central defensive duo Martin Taylor and Nils-Eric Johansson tonight after the pair performed heroically at Old Trafford on Saturday.

But he also has the option of bringing back Henning Berg after the Norwegian missed out at Old Trafford.

"Tiny and Nisa gave me a dilemma on Friday before our game at United because of the way they had played against Barnsley," said Souness.

"Henning could have played against his old club, although he wasn't quite fully fit, but I went with the two younger lads because of the way they had performed earlier in the week.

"So it's not a rotation system because I'm not a believer in that.

"I believe if you're playing well then you keep your place, otherwise there's no incentive to do well.

"So that's the policy and that would generally be my attitude unless I was looking to rest certain people because of injury."

Craig Short (suspended) and Lucas Neill (cup-tied) are both definite non-starters while David Dunn has also been ruled out through injury.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Berg, Johansson, Taylor, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff, Hignett, Mahon, Jansen, Cole, Hughes, Grabbi, Kelly.

Rovers have reached a special agreement with the police which enables them to keep the ticket office open unitl 5.30pm tonight.

Tickets, priced £10 for adults and £5 concessions, will be available up to that time.

But fans are reminded they will not be able to purchase any tickets at any point after that.