BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is hoping to 'psyche out' Bolton counterpart Sam Allardyce tonight as the two managers prepare for a crucial promotion showdown at the Reebok.

Souness today revealed he will be keeping his line-up top secret until the last possible second.

And, though the Ewood chief isn't normally a fan of mind games, he admits he will use every measure possible in a bid to steal a psychological advantage over his rival.

"In these type of games I don't normally think there's a great advantage in keeping your team secret," said Souness.

"But if there's any advantage to be gained at all then we must try and take it because this is a massive game for us."

With Jason McAteer now fit again after a thigh strain, Souness has some tough decisions to make before naming his starting line-up.

But Souness is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the biggest match of his Ewood career.

"We had Keith Gillespie coming in to start his first game in a long time at Watford on Tuesday," said Souness.

"But I could go with the system which I started the game with last week when Eyal Berkovic did well.

"So I'm undecided in a couple of areas.

"But I know whatever team I do play, they'll certainly be up for it."

With seven points currently separating Rovers and second-placed Wanderers, Souness knows how important it is to win tonight.

But the former Liverpool legend -- who has played and managed in some of the biggest derbies in the world -- knows a defeat would not be a disaster.

"It's very important because they're above us in the table," said Souness.

"But it's not critical if we lose just as it wouldn't be critical for them if they got beat.

"There's still a lot of football to be played. "Obviously, for whoever wins, the lift would be immediate.

"But then if you go into your next game and lose the psychological advantage has gone.

"If we won tonight then lost to West Brom next week, we'd be on the floor again. But that's football and there's 45 points still to play for.

"That's when everything will be decided -- not tonight.

"We are going to try and win the game. We won't go there looking for anything less than three points.

"It's a very important game but then so was the match at Watford on Tuesday night."

One man relishing tonight's contest more than most is former Bolton midfielder Jason McAteer.

The Republic of Ireland international was a huge favourite with the fans during his time with the Wanderers.

And though he is likely to get a warm reception from home supporters tonight, he knows what a win would mean to Rovers.

"Bolton is one of the places I actually get clapped -- I had some great times there, learning my trade, winning two promotions and getting to the Coca-Cola Cup final," said McAteer.

"But it's the number one priority for me and for the club to return to the Premiership. That's where the best players are.

"We have a lot of talented kids who need to be playing in the Premier League.

"From working with Graeme Souness, they couldn't have a better manager to bring them on."

"There's plenty of confidence in our squad and we've been playing some decent stuff.

"So if we can beat Bolton tonight and win our two games in hand, it'll be quite tasty."

"However, anyone from second to seventh or eighth could still go up but it would be good to get another team or two from the north-west back in the Premiership.

"Hopefully, we'll be there come the end of the season."

Stig Bjornebye has failed to win his fitness battle and has missed out on a place in the squad.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Filan, Curtis, Berg, Taylor, Short, Gillespie, Dunn, Duff, Berkovic, Flitcroft, Mahon, Bent, Hughes, Jansen, Hignett, McAteer.