EWOOD chief Graeme Souness will not be following in the footsteps of Crystal Palace counterpart Alan Smith by imposing a booze ban on his players this Christmas.

Eagles boss Smith has insisted his players undergo daily urine tests to check for drink and drugs as part of his tough new regime.

But Souness has no plans to introduce similar measures at Brockhall as his troops prepare for a hectic festive programme.

"We have a solid group of professionals here. We've got some young men who will be tempted at times but you've got to give them a bit of lee-way and I trust them," said Souness.

"Until such a time as they abuse that trust, they won't be having any urine tests or anything else.

"I might give them a few hearing tests, however, because some of them didn't listen to what I had to say at half time last night!"

Meanwhile, Souness has closed the door on a move for St Etienne star Pape Sarr.

And further transfer activity at Ewood now appears to have been put on hold until the New Year.

"When we were watching Mettomo earlier in the season we quite liked the look of this other guy, Pape Sarr, as well," said Souness.

"We then went to see him on Thursday night in the derby game with Lyon and he looked a technically good player.

"But he's not the type we are looking for."