INFLUENTIAL duo Craig Short and Garry Flitcroft have both been ruled out of tonight's friendly with Italian side Ternana after becoming the latest players to join the Ewood casualty list.

Short and Flitcroft were both missing from manager Graeme Souness's squad when Rovers jetted out to Italy last night.

And now the injured duo are facing a battle to be fit for Sunday's showdown with Catalan giants Barcelona at Ewood as Souness aims to add some last minute polish ahead of the big kick-off on August 18.

"Craig got a bang on the hip in our recent game with Wrexham which he then aggravated again in training while Flitty is feeling his Achilles a bit so we've left them both behind as a precaution," said Souness, speaking from the team's Italian training base today.

"But it's nothing too serious and they should be back in action soon."

With just two games to go before D-day at Derby on Saturday week, Souness is now looking for one final push in his pre-season preparations.

And he's expecting his side to face their toughest challenge yet against a Ternana side who narrowly missed out on promotion to Serie A at the back end of last season.

"They were a top team in Serie B last year so this is going to be a difficult game for us -- arguably our toughest yet," said Souness.

"But then that's how we've planned it because every game we've played the opposition has got stronger and stronger every time.

"It's going to be hot which should make it difficult for our players.

"But I've seen the pitch after coming over to watch Ciccio last season so I know it's a good surface which should help to make it a decent game."

Whatever happens tonight, it should be an emotional occasion for Ewood new-boy Ciccio Grabbi.

The 26-year-old striker was a big hero among Ternana fans before his £6.75 million switch to Rovers in the summer.

And the former Juventus hit-man is looking forward to saying an emotional goodbye to the club which helped to re-launch his career.

"It should be a great occasion for me," said Grabbi.

"I really enjoyed my time with the club and I had a good relationship with the supporters.

"So this is my chance to say a proper farewell."

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