BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today admitted it was a tough job telling Billy McKinlay he was no longer part of his long-term plans at Ewood.

But the Ewood chief today insisted he won't be afraid to make similar difficult decisions in the future if it means he can re-establish Rovers as one of the major forces in English football.

Scottish international midfielder McKinlay becomes the fifth player this summer to be told he is surplus to requirements in the Souness revolution.

But the name of the Scot is by far the biggest shock on the Ewood exit list so far.

"These are hard decisions I have got to make as manager of Blackburn Rovers and you do start to think am I making a mistake?" said Souness.

"Should I be telling them they can go or should we give them another year? But making judgements is part and parcel of the job.

"Of course you are going to get a few wrong now and again.

"But the secret is to get more right than you do wrong.

"It's not a nice part of the job but, if you are a manager of a football club, then that is one of the things you have to do.

"And I'm not afraid to do that. "It doesn't suddenly make someone a bad player -- it's just my opinion on what I think is best for this football club.

"Billy McKinlay's situation was a difficult one, in particular, because he has been a good servant to the club over a number of years."

"But he has been out for a year and from the very first game of next season we have to be ready.

"And in my opinion Billy needs a dozen good, hard games before he will be ready.

"Unfortunately, I can't wait for that and Blackburn Rovers cannot wait for that."

The injury-plagued 31-year-old has established himself as a firm favourite with Rovers fans during his five-year association with the club.

But it's the sheer timing of the decision -- as McKinlay appears to be making good progress following a 14-month lay-off -- which makes Souness's move his boldest yet since arriving at Ewood.

Meanwhile, the laughable rumour mill is currently working overtime with First Division new boys Wimbledon the latest club to be linked with Rovers striker Matt Jansen.

But Souness has stated on a number of occasions that the England Under 21 international is going nowhere this summer. And, after making a big impression during the final few games of last season, the Rovers boss has high hopes for the player next term. "Matt has the ability to become one of the top men in the country and it's up to us to get that out of him," said Souness.

Galatasaray are set to unveil Luis Fernandez as their new manager -- ending speculation suggesting Graeme Souness had been lined-up for a shock return to his former club.

Some sections of the Turkish press claimed earlier this week that Souness was contemplating a return to Istanbul -- a move quickly quashed by the Rovers boss. But the UEFA Cup winners are expected to confirm the appointment of former Athletic Bilbao boss Fernandez as their new chief in the next few days.