BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today backed Gordon Strachan to make a successful return to management as he prepares to face his friend's former club this weekend.

Strachan recently quit his post as manager of Southampton following a successful spell with the south coast club.

But the fiery Scot's legacy still lives on and Souness has warned his players about the dangers of taking the managerless Saints too lightly when the two sides meet at Ewood Park tomorrow.

Earlier in the season, Rovers were unceremoniously turned over 2-0 in what was a stormy encounter at the St Mary's Stadium.

That result lifted the Saints up to sixth in the Premiership table and Strachan was being feted as one of the brightest young managers in the game.

Since then, however, Southampton's star has begun to wane and Strachan recently took the surprise decision to step down, citing health grounds as one of the main factors behind the shock move.

"Gordon won't be out of a job for very long," said Souness, who became a close friend of the Scot's during their playing careers with Scotland.

"He did a decent job there and when you look at his career he won't have any trouble finding himself a new club.

"He was at Coventry when they went down but he was then given a life-line by Southampton, which he seized with both hands and he did a very good job there, including leading them to a cup final."

When Strachan first broke the news of his intention to quit, Southampton's results immediately began to suffer, so much so that they head to Ewood tomorrow having won just two of their last 10 league games.

Nevertheless, Souness is taking nothing for granted against a team he once managed himself during the 1990s.

Ominously for Rovers, Southampton have fared well against their former managers this term, having already beaten sides managed by Dave Jones, Glenn Hoddle and Souness.

On the flip side, however, Steve Wigley's men have taken just three points from their last six matches on the road, which has coincided with a slide down the table.

"Southampton have had their ups and downs since they lost their manager recently," said Souness.

"I'm not sure what effect that will have on them between now and the end of the season.

"But I'm sure they will be giving it their all tomorrow because they are playing to impress the stand-in manager, who might have a chance of getting the job permanently, or the next manager who might be sat in the stand watching them."

In the meantime, Souness' worries remain closer to home.

Rovers have earned fewer points at home than any other side in the Premiership with just three wins and two draws from 12 matches.

The team's defensive frailties have been repeatedly exposed and only the bottom three have shipped more goals than Rovers during a rollercoaster campaign.

Souness knows an improvement is needed if his players are to avoid an anxious run-in.

"If I could describe our season in one word it would be frustrating," added Souness.

"What happened in the last couple of minutes at Charlton last Saturday typified our season.

"All I can say to our supporters is they must be extremely frustrated but then so are the players.

"We've just got to keep working hard to try and put things right.

"Concentration has a big part to play in it.

"Without going into it too deeply, it's about individuals knocking off at vital times and that's something that needs to be addressed."