EWOOD exile John Curtis could be in line for a surprise Premiership recall tomorrow as Rovers head for Southampton looking for the win which could catapult them into a top six position.

Manager Graeme Souness named the former England Under 21 defender in his squad this morning for the long trip south.

And, with Nissa Johansson ruled out of the game through suspension, Curtis could be given the chance to stake a claim for a regular starting place after spending the last 12 months in the wilderness at Rovers.

"We'll have to make changes because Nissa and Garry Flitcroft are suspended so John will be added to the squad," said Souness today.

"It's a blow to lose those two because they've both done well for us this season.

"Nissa had just started to settle down at left back because it's a strange position for him and it's taken time for him to adjust.

"At the end of the day, people have got to remember he's only 22 and he's normally a centre-back but he's filled in for us and all credit to him for doing that."

Souness may well decide to throw Curtis in straight from the start after the player figured in Wednesday night's Worthington Cup win over Walsall.

Souness - who will serve the second game of a three-match touchline ban tomorrow - knows a win at St Mary's could see his side climb as high as fourth in the table, depending on other results.

But he's not taking anything for granted against a Southampton side who are still unbeaten at home.

"This is a hard game for us, make no mistake" said Souness.

"They were very unlucky to lose against Manchester United last week and they should have scored more than one goal at Anfield on Wednesday.

"They are right behind us in the league, they've already got 16 points, so that's indication of how close this game is going to be.

"But there's no reason why we shouldn't go there full of confidence."

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Curtis, Neill, Taylor, Short, Dunn, Tugay, Thompson, Duff, Yorke, Cole, Jansen, Grabbi, Gillespie, Mahon, Danns, Douglas, Kelly.

Rovers' Academy starlet Ciaran Donnelly scored all four goals as England's Under 19s thrashed Romania 4-0 at Northampton last night.