ROVERS boss Graeme Souness has blasted back at suggestions that his side's storming run into the promotion picture has made them bigheads.

It was claimed in some quarters over the weekend that Blackburn's long unbeaten run had been undermined at Nottingham Forest by their approach to the game.

But Souness leapt to the defence of his players, who he insists are firmly focussed on their promotion challenge with their feet firmly on the ground.

"It was suggested that we lost that game because we were big heads. That's absolute rubbish.

"We are not big-time charlies. I know my players. It would annoy me as a player and it will annoy them," he said.

Big-spending Rovers have under-achieved in the recent past but under Souness this season they have knuckled down to justfiy their status as one of the division's more powerful clubs.

Souness put Saturday's defeat purely down to a lack of a killer instinct -- and not a bad attitude -- and has backed his players to bounce back.

He said: "We didn't do a lot wrong. The only thing we didn't do is put the ball in the net.

"Goals change games and the first goal gave them a lift. But I was pleased that we kept going and we had a chance through Matt Jansen to make it 1-1 and if had taken that I think we would have gone on and won the game.

"They had three efforts at goal with two or target and two went in. I'm not concerned about Saturday."

Meanwhile, Damian Johnson announced his return from injury with a stunning goal to help the reserves win 3-2 at Newcastle last night.

Souness is delighted to see his midfield man back in action but admitted it will be a little while before he's ready for a first team re-call.

"It's the first games he's played for months.

"It's been a real blow to him but he just needs to get back to playing a few more games now.

"Nathan Blake is in a similar situation and we are trying to push him along as much a swe can, although he's still a week away from making any decisions," the boss added.

Stig Inge Bjornebye isn't expected to be available for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Bolton but Craig Hignett will come back into contention.

The midfielder missed the defeat at Nottingham Forest after picking up a minor keen injury in training on Friday.

Hignett tweaked a ligament and so wasn't risked at the City Ground, but will be fit for the cup tie.

Rovers have sold out of their 5,200 tickets for Saturday's fifth-round clash at the Reebok Stadium.