ROVERS boss Graeme Souness will run the rule over a top foreign target this weekend as he starts planning for life in the Premiership next season.

The jubilant Ewood chief will miss Rovers' end of season promotion party at Gillingham on Sunday in order to make a special scouting trip to Europe.

And, while the rest of the town continue to toast the club's promotion success, Souness insists the hard work starts here.

"I won't put a number on the amount of players I want to bring in because it depends on what's available and what we can get," said Souness.

"But, obviously, you look to improve your squad every year and I think, in order to ensure we're not biting our nails all next season, then we've got to spend a few quid now.

"We've drawn up a list of names but only now can I start making moves or enquiries because, until we got promoted, I was scared of tempting fate.

"So I'm not going to Gillingham on Sunday -- I'm going to watch someone play instead.

"There's only a limited number of games between now and the end of the season and I look on Sunday as an opportunity to go and look at someone else."

There's bound to be a flurry of transfer activity at Ewood over the summer with players moving in and out.

Souness is known admirer of Tranmere star Jason Koumas and Manchester United striker Jonathan Greening has also been touted as a possible target.

But, though the Rovers boss is clearly intent on bringing in some new blood, he insists it's not all about throwing money at the situation.

"I've not sat down with the chairman and John Williams yet to test the resources I'll have available but it's not all about spending big money all the time, anyway," said Souness.

"Fans have got to remember the whole situation has changed since the club was last year.

"When Rovers won the championship the last time around, Jack Walker's money was the biggest money around.

"But, because of Sky, that's no longer the case."

Whatever happens over the summer, however, Souness has admitted some of his promotion heroes could become casualties in his bid to assemble a squad capable of holding its own in the top flight.

"Of course, I want to be loyal but at the same time I've got to do the job to the best of my abilities," added Souness.

"And of course, inevitably, there'll be some people who'll leave just like there'll be some new faces coming in.

"The way I look at it is we've just passed stage one, now we're moving onto stage two and, for sure, there will be some people who will have to move on.

"My responsibility is ultimately to the directors and supporters of this football club and I'm paid to make some tough decisions."

"Sentiment can't come into it -- that's part and parcel of football.

"But, having said that, the vast majority of players who are here now will be here next season.

"Right now, though, we are just concentrating on enjoying the moment.

"And, as you can see from the atmosphere around the club, our supporters are enjoying it, too."