RED Bull Salzburg manager Giovanni Trapattoni is concerned about the fitness of his leading scorer Alexander Zickler ahead of tonight's UEFA Cup first round second leg tie with Blackburn Rovers.

The former Bayern Munich striker, who has eight goals to his name already this season, including one against Rovers in the first leg a fortnight ago, limped off during the first half of Salzburg's 2-1 defeat to Sturm Graz at the weekend after suffering a thigh injury.

If the 32-year-old fails to prove his fitness in time to face Rovers it will be a massive blow to Trapattoni as his team need to score to stand any chance of progressing through to the group stages.

"I've spoken to Zickler and I have a good feeling about him," said Trapattoni."It's important to see if he's okay in himself.

"I think he will be, but we've got to take into consideration the fact it's a long season and we don't just need him for this one game, we need him for the whole season."

After conceding two away goals in the first leg in Austria a fortnight ago, Salzburg have it all to do at Ewood if they are to keep alive their UEFA Cup dream.

Trapattoni, who has won a staggering 21 trophies in a managerial career that has featured spells at Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus, expects a cagey game this evening.

The destiny of the first goal could, therefore, be crucial, according to the legendary Italian coach.

"It's very important that we actually score a goal, but we have to be very careful about players like Nonda, McCarthy, Pedersen and Bentley," said Trapattoni, whose players got their first glimpse of Ewood during a wet and windy training session last night.

"We have got to make sure they don't catch us out on the counter attack. Our team is fit, we are totally ready for the game, and we have to be convincing.

"We've got seven or eight international players and they'll really have to pull their weight and put in good performances for us if we want to go through.

"Who scores the first goal is very important. You can't predict what could happen.

"There could be an own goal or anything.

"Just look at what happened in the recent game between Blackburn and Manchester City."