GRAEME Souness and his Blackburn Rovers' squad will jet-off to Dubai for a mid-season break following tomorrow's Roses battle with Leeds United at Elland Road.

Rovers have taken advantage of a gap in the fixture list -- created as a result of Newcastle's commitments in the FA Cup -- to squeeze in a week-long break in the Far East.

Souness whisked his players off on a similar trip at the same time last season and it proved highly successful as they returned refreshed and recuperated for their promotion run-in, thrashing Burnley 5-0 in their first game back.

And the manager is hoping this year's excursion will have a similar impact as Rovers brace themselves for a punishing series of high-pressure games in the scrap for Premiership survival.

As well as the chance to soak up some sun, they will train every day whilst they are out there before returning for another vital six-pointer with rock-bottom Leicester at Filbert Street on Saturday week.