ROY Hodgson will have to go ghost-busting at the Dell tomorrow if Blackburn Rovers are to maintain a strong Premiership title challenge.

A good result is essential to prevent Manchester United going too far ahead at the top of the table but it is 60 long years since Rovers beat Southampton at the Dell, one of their least favourite venues.

And Hodgson had several problems to sort out this afternoon before finalising his squad for the trip to the South coast.

Strikers Chris Sutton and Kevin Gallacher, along with defender Tore Pedersen, have all been hit by illness, while Stephane Henchoz and Marlon Broomes face fitness tests on groin strains.

Sutton, suffering from a flu bug, has been the manager's main concern as he seemed the most doubtful.

"At the moment it's a lengthy casualty list and that is a concern," said the manager.

The last time Rovers won an away game at Southampton was December 1938 and they have had some real downers at the Dell since then.

But Rovers' form this season has given them cause for optimism and defender Colin Hendry believes the time could be ripe for a change.

"Maybe this is the time to go and bury that particular hoodoo," said Hendry today.

"As a team we have been very strong mentally this season and we will need that at Southampton.

"We might not be allowed to play, so it means we will have to roll up our sleeves and earn the right to play our football.

"Southampton looked a very well-organised side when they came to Blackburn and they have excellent strikers.

"For some reason, even though they have usually been in the lower half of the table, they always make it very difficult for the teams at the top. "We might not have won there for a long time but we have drawn a couple. I remember we drew the first game of the championship season there."

Manchester United and Chelsea have been recent victims of the Saints at the Dell.

Last season, Rovers lost 2-0 there and had skipper Tim Sherwood sent off.

Rovers' team plans will depend on the fitness tests but at least Hodgson will have Stuart Ripley back in the reckoning after he missed last Saturday's FA Cup draw at West Ham.

Tim Flowers should be all right too, after suffering a shoulder problem, and, along with Jeff Kenna, will be looking forward to a return to face his former club.

Jason Wilcox has had a scan on an injury he has been carrying in the groin area but that was mainly a precaution.

Hodgson was forced to delay naming the squad because of his problems. Southampton will still be without recent signing John Beresford who is completing a two-match suspension. Central defender Ken Monkou is also absent as he starts a ban.

But Francis Benali will be available again following his suspension.

Manager David Jones could bring in Richard Dryden or switch Carlton Palmer to the centre of defence to cover for Monkou.

Their only major injury doubt is Kevin Davies, who missed Wednesday's defeat by Coventry and is struggling to shake off an ankle problem.

Saints are expected to choose from: Jones, Dodd, Dryden, Palmer, Lundekvam, Todd, Benali, Oakley, Richardson, Hughes, Williams, Le Tissier, Ostenstad, Hirst, Spedding, Davies, Moss.

If Rovers beat West Ham next Wednesday night, their FA Cup sixth round tie away to either Arsenal or Crystal Palace will be shown 'live' on ITV on Sunday, March 8 (kick-off 2pm).

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