BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today warned his promotion chasers that they had better get used to the pressure as Rovers prepare for another vital six-pointer against West Brom on Saturday.

After the euphoria of last week's 4-1 victory against Bolton, Souness insists it's now time for his team to show their true mettle.

And with Saturday's visit of Albion the first of three back-to-back games against top 10 opposition, the Ewood chief knows the importance of starting mad March with a bang.

"Everyone was elated after our win at the Reebok and quite rightly so," said Souness.

"But, as far as I'm concerned, the hard work starts now.

"And the more performances we turn in like last Friday, the more pressure we'll be putting on ourselves.

"But that's something we've got to learn to live with if we want to be successful.

"And this Saturday is an opportunity we simply cannot miss.

"It's going to be a test for us because West Brom are one of the best teams in the League.

"They'll see it as a chance to do what we did to Bolton last week.

"But we owe them one after they beat us at their place and this is our chance to set the record straight."

With Garry Flitcroft missing through suspension, Souness faces an agonising choice over who to draft in to plug the gap.

But the Rovers chief will keep his cards close to his chest in order to keep Albion boss Gary Megson guessing right up to kick off.

Meanwhile, Damien Johnson could be ready for a first team return in the next seven days after making his international comeback with Northern Ireland last night.

The 22-year-old wide-man came on as a second half substitute for Birmingham's Jon McCarthy in the North's 4-0 defeat against Norway.

And Rovers boss Souness has pencilled in the midfielder for a possible return in next week's FA Cup replay with Bolton.

"I was glad to be back last night after having such a bad time with injury," said Johnson.

"Unfortunately, by the time I came on we were trailing heavily but in the last half hour we battled gamely. Hopefully, there'll be much better to come in our next match against the Czech Republic.

"But, on a personal note, it's just great to be playing for my country again.

"And now I'm hoping to win back my place in the Blackburn team."

Henning Berg also played 45 minutes for Norway in last night's match while Brad Friedel came through the United States' World Cup qualifier with Mexico.

Elsewhere, Crewe boss Dario Gradi is keeping tabs on Rovers duo Burton O'Brien and David McNamee.

The former St Mirren duo are both on the transfer list after failing to break into the first team at Ewood.

And Gradi is one of several managers thought to have made a tentative enquiry about signing the pair before the transfer deadline in three weeks time.

Transfer-listed winger Jimmy Corbett is also attracting interest from his old club Gillingham.

But reports suggesting Jeff Kenna is a target for Wolves appear to be wide of the mark.

"I haven't heard anything at all about that," said Kenna.

"Obviously, I'd like to think I might get sorted out with a new club before deadline day but that's down to other people to decide.

"So it's out of my hands." aneild@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk