GRAEME Souness today threw down the gauntlet to his promotion chasing side and said: 'Go out and prove you're good enough to play in the Premier League.'

Rovers go into tomorrow's FA Cup fourth round clash with struggling Derby County as clear favourites with the bookies.

And Souness wants his side to show the rest of the footballing world just how far they have come under his tutelage in the last six months.

"This is a great chance for us to gauge where we are," said Souness.

"Derby are a Premier League club -- albeit a struggling one -- and this gives us the opportunity to see what progress we've made this season.

"All you can ask for in a cup competition is a home draw and that's what we've got so it's up to us to go out and put on a performance for our fans.

"Derby might have some players missing but they'll see this as a welcome distraction from the grind of the Premier League.

"This is a chance for them to build up some confidence for in their League battle.

"The FA Cup has obvious glamour so it's a competition in which everyone wants to do well.

"So they'll be coming here to win."

Rovers must go into the clash without their two most senior players as Henning Berg and Mark Hughes are both suspended.

But that could see Marlon Broomes handed a rare start if Craig Short fails to prove his fitness following a calf injury which has kept him out for the last six weeks.

Souness has other options as well, however, to help cover for Berg's absence.

Versatile fullback John Curtis could slot in at centre back with Jeff Kenna recalled at right back.

And the Ewood chief has also spoken of his plans to convert Garry Flitcroft into a centre back before now, although he is more likely to stick to tried and tested methods with so much at stake.

Rovers from: Friedel, Curtis, Bjornebye, Taylor, Short, Broomes, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, Mahon, Hignett, Jansen, Bent, McAteer, Blake, Kenna, Ostenstad, Filan.

Meanwhile, Rams boss Jim Smith has major selection problems as he prepares to return to his old stomping ground.

Chris Riggott and Craig Burley are both suspended, Seth Johnson has a knee injury, and Taribo West, Daryl Powell and Deon Burton are all away on international duty.

They will choose from: Poom, Bragstad, Carbonari, Mawene, Delap, Eranio, Martin, Murray, Higginbotham, Christie, Morris, Valakari, O'Neil, Oakes, Boertien, Bolder, Hunt.