ROVERS boss Graeme Souness is facing a minor injury crisis ahead of tonight's opening pre-season friendly against Austrian part-timers Sporting Union Abtenau.

Ewood chief Souness has seen his squad decimated by a spate of injury problems with as many as five of the 25-strong touring party likely to miss the opening leg of Rovers' three game tour.

Marcus Bent (knee), Damien Johnson (knee) and Alan Mahon (Achilles) are all virtual non-starters after picking up various niggles in training.

And former England Under 21 international John Curtis is also suffering from a sore heel as he looks to ease his way back into action after undergoing a hernia operation over the summer.

To make matters worse, midfield dynamo David Dunn has also complained of feeling ill over the last few days and won't be risked as a precaution.

Though none of the injury problems are thought to be too serious, it's a headache Souness could well do without so soon into his pre-season preparations.

And with the next game only 48 hours away, the quintet must now be rated as doubtful for the second leg on Wednesday when Rovers take on German outfit TSV Crailsheim at the Schoneburg Stadion.

"We've currently got a few injury problems and it's not worth taking a risk with anyone at this stage in our preparations," said Souness.

"Damien Johnson has got a wee bit of a problem with his knee, Alan Mahon's been feeling his Achilles and Marcus Bent has been doing some training but he's got a bit of a knee problem as well.

"Add to that the fact that Dunny hasn't been feeling too well and Curt's Achilles has flared up a bit, too, and it means it leaves us with a few problems.

"But none of them are particularly serious, they're the kind of niggles you tend to get at this time of the year."

Despite his problems, however, Souness is relishing the prospect of getting back into action.

And summer signings Corrado Grabbi, Tugay Kerimoglou and Gordon Greer -- who were recruited for a combined total of £8.5 million -- could all make their Rovers debuts tonight as Rovers ease their way back into competitive action.

"These games are all about working on our match fitness so I'll be looking to try and get everyone a game," said Souness. "Obviously, Tugay is slightly behind everyone else in terms of fitness because hasn't been training for as long due to the problems with his work permit.

"So if we feel he's not quite ready then we won't rush him.

"But I've worked with him before and I know he's a natural athlete so it won't take him long to catch up with the rest."

Meanwhile, Souness today thanked Eyal Berkovic for his contribution to Rovers' promotion charge after the little Israeli finally severed all links with the club by joining Manchester City over the weekend.

Berkovic had hoped to secure a permanent move to Ewood over the summer following a successful loan spell with Rovers last season.

However, once Souness got the green light to complete the signing of Tugay, that ended any chance of Berkovic joining Rovers on a permanent basis and hence his subsequent move to City.

"I wish him well with his new club," said Souness. "Eyal is a very talented player and he came and did his bit for us last year.

"But he likes to play in a system which I don't think we'll be using very much next season and I explained that to him at the start of the summer.

"It's for that reason we didn't make his signing a priority but, for the position he plays in, I don't think there's anyone better and I'm sure he'll do a good job for Kevin Keegan."

With the new season now just three weeks away, Souness is still hoping to add a couple of new faces to his squad before Rovers' opening game against Derby at Pride Park.

But he has ruled out a move for Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, despite speculation in one of yesterday's tabloids claiming he was poised to make a £5 million bid.

"I think we're already well served in that department so there's nothing in that," said Souness.

And another story in the same paper suggesting Southampton were ready to make a swoop for hot-shot striker Matt Jansen were also laughed off by the Rovers boss.

"We've not heard anything from them but Matt's not going anywhere anyway."