BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness will plead guilty to a charge of misconduct when he attends a personal hearing as a result of his scathing attack on referee Graham Barber a fortnight ago.

Souness launched a tirade at the official after he decided to send off Lucas Neill in Rovers' 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.

But the Ewood chief has no regrets about his comments, even though he now faces the prospect of a possible touchline ban as Rovers scrap for their Premiership lives.

"I'm guilty. I hold my hand up," said Souness.

"I'm guilty of what I'm charged because I swore at the referee so I'm a big boy and I'll take my medicine.

"But I do want a personal hearing because I want to put forward my point of view. I thought he was wrong to send Lucas off -- I felt that at the time and I still feel it now. So I was guilty of not being disciplined enough to keep my mouth shut.

"But I'm an emotional type of person and a passionate type of person, and sometimes you can't control those emotions. But that doesn't mean I was wrong."

Ironically, Barber has since made a U-turn in regard to his decision after studying the incident again on video.

And that has resulted in Neill's red-card being rescinded in time for him to be considered for today's vital six-pointer with Bolton at the Reebok.

However, that may still not be enough to save Souness from being exiled to the stands.

But the Ewood chief insists whatever happens at the hearing will not have an adverse effect on Rovers' survival bid.

"I'm not so sure what influence managers and coaches have when you see them shouting and screaming on the touchline anyway," said Souness.

"I can remember as a player whenever Ronnie Moran used to shout from the touchline I would nod and put my thumb up to say 'okay, I know what you mean.'

"But it wasn't until I got in at half-time that I'd then say 'what was it you were really on about?'

"So I think it's more for our benefit than the players' because it's a bit of a release.

"I can still get my message across whether I'm on the touchline or not.

"I prefer to watch the early part of a game from the stand anyway unless it's a really difficult one to get down from.

"And I can always get my instructions through via Phil or Tony so I'm not too worried."