BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today called on his players to bounce back from Saturday's defeat at Old Trafford with a rousing performance against arch-rivals Bolton this afternoon.

Rovers' European hopes suffered a set-back at the hands of Manchester United as they crashed to a 3-1 defeat amid controversial circumstances.

But with in-form Wanderers next up at Ewood, Souness insists his troops can't afford to start moping as they attempt to make up ground on the top six.

Bolton boosted their own hopes of beating the drop at the weekend thanks to a crucial 1-0 win over fellow strugglers West Ham at the Reebok.

Souness said: "Sam has done a marvellous job in getting the most out of the people."

Sir Alex Ferguson praised Rovers, saying: "I think Blackburn will have a real go next season. We take great satisfaction from beating them."

Rovers have been given a huge confidence boost going into the game from the most unlikely of sources -- Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Fergie was glowing in his praise of Rovers after Saturday's game and the Old Trafford chief has predicted Graeme Souness will turn them into a major force next season.

Souness knows his side have the potential to do even better next season and he has already drawn up a list of targets for the summer, with the recruitment of a centre half his number one priority.

However, strict financial constraints means he won't be spending big during the close season.

"That's the way it is in football at the moment," said Souness.

"We might be only a tweak away from being a very good side but that tweak could cost £10 million.

"We know what we are short of and the centre of defence is one of the areas I want to improve on.

"We are looking to strengthen in that position as well as lessening the age."

Frank De Boer has been consistently linked with a move to Ewood recently but he is not the manager's number one target.

"We've got someone else in mind and we might have an answer on that maybe later this week."