BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today insisted this week's row with Liverpool has not cast a shadow over Rovers' preparations for tomorrow's game at Portsmouth.

Souness will be relieved to return to football matters at Fratton Park at the end of a week which has been dominated by negative media coverage concerning Lucas Neill's challenge on Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has refused to let the matter drop, choosing to openly criticise both Souness and Neill through the media.

But the Rovers boss has not allowed the feud to blur his focus as he plots the downfall of Pompey.

"I don't see it as a big problem. I've been in the game a long time and this hasn't been a major week for me to be honest," said Souness.

"It's been a disappointing week because I don't like the taste of defeat in my mouth - I'd prefer to get it out of my system the next day.

"But in terms of all the stuff that's been in the Press, it's just gone over my head.

"At the end of the day, you've got to do your job in the way you see fit and I know I've done my job properly this week."

Souness has dismissed any talk of shielding Neill from the spotlight by insisting the Aussie will definitely start tomorrow.

The Rovers boss is desperate to get back to winning ways after last week's disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.

But they will need to pull out all the stops against a Portsmouth side who have won 10 of their last 11 games at Fratton Park, as well as being unbeaten in the Premiership.

"It's a game we need to get something from but it's not going to be easy because they've made a great start to the season," said Souness.

"Portsmouth are on a real high at the moment because they've made such an excellent start .

"I'm not surprised by how well they've done but it's too early in the season to be making judgements.

"Right now, though, you've got to say they've adjusted well and they've not been overawed by the Premiership.

"They proved it by going to Arsenal last week where they got a good result."

Rovers currently have five points from their opening five games but Souness believes some of his side's performances have been better than the results would suggest.

"Generally speaking, our football has been good so far, apart from that first half at Bolton," said the Rovers boss.

"The results have not been what we've wanted but in terms of our football, and the players' determination and effort, I'm happy with that. We just need some points on the board."

Souness faces a dilemma in terms of who to play in midfield.

Garry Flitcroft, Barry Ferguson and Tugay are all competing for two places in the centre of the park and Souness admits it's a nice headache to have.

"Now we've got a squad of players and these are decisions I didn't have to make last season but this time I'll have to.

"Hopefully, I'll get more right than I do wrong.

"I thought Barry acquitted himself well against Liverpool last week.

"It was hard for everyone in that game because we played with 10 men for 77 minutes against a good team, but he didn't look at out of place."

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Neill, Gresko, Amoruso, Babbel, Flitcroft, Ferguson, Emerton, Thompson, Jansen, Cole, Yorke, Tugay, Baggio, Taylor, Johansson, Grabbi, Kelly.

Meanwhile, Souness is still considering whether to add Julian Gray to his squad after the Crystal Palace winger made a good impression during his trial spell with the club. "He's impressed us," said Souness.