BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today warned 'the hard work still has to be done' despite watching Rovers take a giant step nearer the Worthington Cup final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium last night.

First half goals from Craig Hignett and Andy Cole saw Rovers secure a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final at Hillsborough.

But Souness has no intention of letting his side get complacent even though they will now take a precious one-goal advantage into the second leg at Ewood in a fortnight's time.

"I've been in the game long enough to know that we're now in a good position," said Souness.

"We went to Hillsborough and did a job but the hard work is still in front of us.

"If we're not careful, we could still end up with a smacked backside so we've got to keep focused."

The tie looked virtually over as a contest after Rovers stormed into a 2-0 lead inside the opening 40 minutes.

However, gangly striker Efan Ekoku then handed the Owls a lifeline with a goal early in the second half and Rovers survived a few more anxious moments before finally escaping with a priceless victory.

"We always knew we were going to get a difficult game," said Souness.

"They started very well, had a couple of chances in the first 10 minutes, but we then got a goal which helped to settle us down a little bit and we started to control it after that.

"We then said at half time 'if we keep it tight for 10 or 15 minutes after the break, it could then turn out to be a fairly comfortable second half for us.'

"But instead of that we did the opposite by giving away a sloppy goal and, from there on in it was another physical battle, especially for our two central defenders.

"At the end of the day, though, it's the semi-final of a cup and it's all about getting to the final rather than performances.

"I think you also have to give Sheffield Wednesday credit, too. They played with great spirit and enthusiasm and put us under a lot of pressure.

"But we got the result we wanted in the end."

Souness was particularly delighted to see Andy Cole open his Rovers goal account following his club record move from Manchester United over Christmas.

"It was the kind of goal which I felt we haven't been getting and that should do him the world of good," said Souness.

"But I know Andy will get goals for us and this will be the first of many."

Now Rovers must switch their attention to Saturday's mammoth Premiership clash with Charlton Athletic at Ewood.

After six defeats from their last seven league outings, Souness knows it's vital his side stop the rot against the Addicks.

But he's facing up to the fact that he could be without three key players for what is arguably the biggest game of the season so far.

Skipper Garry Flitcroft missed last night's cup tie due to a niggling groin problem and the tough-tackling midfielder is due to see a specialist in the next 24 hours to try and get to the root of the problem.

On top of that, defensive duo Craig Short and Lucas Neill are also definite non-starters due to suspension.

Short has been hit by a four game ban after Rovers failed in their appeal to get his red card against Sunderland overturned.

And Neill will join him on the sidelines after picking up a one game ban for totting up five bookings.

* Rovers' reserves are in action against Manchester City tonight at Morecambe's Christie Park (kick-off 7pm).

Young Irish midfielder Jonathan Douglas is expected to make his comeback following a lengthy lay-off with a career-threatening knee injury.

Douglas has been out for the best part of a year after suffering both cartilage and ligament damage as a result of a challenge from Everton's Danny Cadamarteri.

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