Blackburn Rovers v Barcelona - match preview

EWOOD goal-ace Matt Jansen was today given the all-clear for tomorrow's showdown with Barcelona after suffering a late injury scare in the build-up to the big match.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness feared his star-striker could have been ruled out for the start of the season when he was sent to hospital yesterday for X-rays on a shoulder injury sustained in Tuesday night's 2-0 friendly defeat against Ternana.

However, the check-up later revealed no serious damage and Souness is now hopeful of unleashing last season's top-scorer on the Catalan giants at Ewood as Rovers look to wrap up their pre-season preparations in style.

"Matt damaged his shoulder when we were in Italy in midweek," said Souness.

"He played on with it even though it was a wee bit sore so we sent him for an X-ray yesterday but we've since got the results back and, touch wood, it doesn't appear to be anything too serious.

"So, all being well, he should be okay for tomorrow and if not, then hopefully for the next week."

With the new season set to start a week today, tomorrow's game represents the last chance for Souness to put the finishing touches to his preparations ahead of the big kick-off at Derby.

And he's excited by the prospect of taking on one of the biggest club sides in the world in front of a bumper Ewood crowd.

Barca announced their arrival in England last night with a 3-0 win over Derby at Pride Park, thanks to a brace from Patrick Kluivert and another strike from Geovanni. And judging by the strength of the team they fielded there -- which also included the likes of Dutch trio Marc Overmars, Philip Cocu and Frank DeBoer -- Rovers fans are in for a real feast of football.

"What a way to announce we are back in the Premier League," said Souness.

"Barcelona are one of the biggest teams in the world and their squad is packed with world class players.

"But I'd rather lose 5-0 and not have any injuries than win 5-0 and have a team full of them because the only thing that matters is how we are for the following Saturday.

"That said, every manager and every player wants to do well in every game they play. We are infront of our home supporters and we want to send them home feeling optimistic about the new season.

"To date everything's gone really well in our friendly programme. Tuesday night was a very competitive game against Ternana -- a game like we can expect to get in the Premier League week in, week out.

"That's just what we wanted at this point in our preparations and I expect the Barca game to be the same.

"I know they played Derby last night but with the size of their squad I'm sure they'd be able to field three strong sides, never mind two.

"So it's going to be another great test for us. The game will be played at a high tempo. The conditions would suggest it might be a little bit wet which will make the ball move fast.

"But that's just what we are looking for because it will push us and make us work harder." Souness reports no fresh injury worries so Craig Short and Garry Flitcroft should both return to his starting line-up after missing the trip to Italy. But the game appears to have come too soon for midfield duo Alan Mahon and Damien Johnson, despite the fact they stepped up their comebacks from injury in the reserves in midweek.

Rovers' squad is: Friedel, Filan, Berg, Curtis, Short, Taylor, Dunn, Gillespie, Flitcroft, Bent, Hughes, Bjornebye, Greer, Tugay, Duff, Hignett, Grabbi, Blake, Jansen.

Meanwhile,frontman Marc Richards has gone to Crewe on a one-month loan.

TICKETS for tomorrow's game are on sale right up to kick off.

The Ewood ticket office will be open until 4pm tonight and from 9am to kick off tomorrow.

Only tickets for the Darwen End will be available on the day, priced £15 for adults and £5 for juniors, but any adults who purchase tickets in advance can buy one junior ticket and get another free.