GRAEME Souness is urging troubled defender Lorenzo Amoruso to crank up his concentration levels for "easier" games.

The Italian defender was given a torrid time in Turkey on Wednesday as Rovers crashed to a 3-1 defeat against Genclerbirligi in the first round first leg of the UEFA Cup.

But as Rovers prepare to face Fulham at Ewood Park on Sunday, manager Souness is backing Amoruso to switch back on and put in the type of commanding performance that inspired them to victory at Portsmouth in their last Premiership outing a week ago.

"Amo's problem, and it's something that I've spoken to him about, is when he feels that it's an easier game he allows his concentration level to drop," said Souness.

"When he's confronted by a big challenge and big players, that turns him on. So that's something he has to get round in his own head.

"He was arguably our best player on the pitch at Portsmouth so it can't be anything to do with adapting to the Premier League.

"But when you play in England, if it's not Alan Shearer, it's van Nistelrooy, if it's not van Nistelrooy, it's Henry, if it's not Henry it's Hernan Crespo. So he needs to sort that out.

"But you don't go from being arguably the best player on the pitch against Portsmouth on Saturday to a bad player on Wednesday.

"He and Babbel were the rock on which our win at Portsmouth was built on but if you analyse the last two games, the best department at Portsmouth was the back four. On Wednesday it was the worst department, but that's football. No two games are the same."

The back four will be further weakened on Sunday as Lucas Neill begins a three-game ban, while midfielder Steven Reid serves the last game of his.

Souness is keeping tight-lipped about who will replace Neill at right back, but Brett Emerton, who played in that position for Feyenoord last season, is one option.

Better news for the Rovers boss is the return of skipper Garry Flitcroft after a back injury and Barry Ferguson, who was cup-tied for the trip to Turkey.

"We missed Garry's general enthusiasm in the first half on Wednesday," said Souness.

"He is a warrior and he will growl at people when things aren't happening and we missed him in that sense as well.

"As for Barry, he is a top player in the Premier League and in a very short time people will realise that.

"He is very important to us and I want him involved in every game, which is why I signed him."

One player Souness won't be signing is former Crystal Palace winger Julian Gray, who has been released after a trial with Rovers.

"We've no money left in the pot for him," said Souness.