GRAEME Souness plans to send out his team with a clear message ringing in their ears: 'Go out and prove you are good enough to get promoted.'

After the disappointments of last season, Rovers came in for fierce criticism from all quarters.

But Souness now believes his squad are stronger and better prepared for the task ahead.

And he is calling on his troops to show the mental toughness to prove the doubters wrong.

"Like everything in life, if you don't learn from your mistakes and your experiences then you can't expect to improve," said Souness.

"But there's no doubt our players have learnt from what happened last year.

"They've learnt there's no easy games in this league and they've learnt that everyone expects more from them than any other club in the division.

"But that's the pressure we have to deal with.

"And when things are not going well, that's when we've got to stand up and be counted. "We are going to get abuse but that should make them even more determined to succeed.

"I used to love getting booed as a player.

"That's part of the deal and it made me even more determined to make things happen.

"And that's the attitude I want from my players.

"I want chests thrust out and sleeves rolled up.

"And that's the message I'll be trying to get across."

Rovers have enjoyed an excellent pre-season, winning four of their six friendly games.

But Souness is not getting carried away and insists the real stuff starts tomorrow.

"I'm not kidded by pre-season -- it's notorious for leading you on," said Souness.

Lee Carsley starts a three game suspension tomorrow after getting sent off against Palace last year.

And Craig Hignett is ruled out by an Achilles problem.

Otherwise, Souness has a full squad to pick from.

Rovers will choose from: Filan, Kelly, Curtis, Bjornebye, Dailly, Taylor, Short, Flitcroft, Dunn, Duff, McAteer, Johnson, Jansen, Blake, Ostenstad, Ward, Harkness.

Meanwhile, Palace boss Alan Smith has a few selection problems ahead of the clash.

Keeper Frazer Digby is out injured so 19-year-old rookie Stuart Taylor will deputise in goal after signing earlier this week on a two-month loan from Arsenal.

Central defender Simon Rodger has an ankle injury while central midfielder Craig Foster is struggling to get a work permit.

However, new signings Neil Ruddock, Tommy Black and Julian Gray are all expected to play.

And Smith has also snapped up Middlesbrough left-back Craig Harrison during the last couple of days.

Palace will choose from: Taylor, Gregg, Austin, Woozley, Zhiyi, Ruddock, Linighan, Smith, Black, Gray, Mullins, Forssell, Morrison, Fullarton, Thomson, Carlisle, McKenzie, Evans, Hibburt, Hunt, Harrison.