BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today said he's relishing the start of pre-season training as he looks to banish the memories of the last 12 months.

No-one was more disappointed by Rovers' performances in the Premiership last season than Souness after he had started the campaign with his sights set firmly on another push for Europe.

But after a month of rest and recuperation, Souness is now refreshed and ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

And he believes the signings of Paul Dickov and Javier De Pedro will give the club fresh impetus going into the new campaign.

"I'm already looking forward to the first day of pre-season training," said the Rovers boss. "I'm excited already and the supporters should be now that we've got two of the lads we wanted to get in.

"The doctor also assures me David Thompson and Barry Ferguson will be back for the first day of pre-season and that will feel like we've signed two new players.

"I'm like every supporter, I like to enjoy my weekends but I had too many miserable ones last season and I don't want another year like that."

Souness is still hoping to freshen up his squad by making at least one more signing before the start of the season in August but he may have to sell in order to fund another deal.

"We'd certainly like to bring in one more player but I expect some to leave as well," said Rovers' chief executive John Williams.

"Transfer funds are tight and it's necessary to fund some deals with out-going moves.

"Javier De Pedro is our second signing and I did say in a letter to our season ticket holders that they could expect a couple of new faces.

"Paul Dickov and Javier De Pedro are two faces but I'm not certain we are done yet."

In the meantime, the club have already lined-up a host of pre-season friendlies in preparation for the new campaign.

Souness will take his squad on a training break to Germany from July 14 to July 25.

Rovers kick off the tour with a game against TV Bopfingen 1861 on Saturday July 17, then they'll take part in the SSV Reutlingen tournament, together with three other sides, on July 20 and July 23.

Three further friendlies have also been lined up for when the squad returns home.

Rovers take on Stockport County at Edgeley Park (kick-off 7.45 pm) on Wednesday, July 28th, then they travel to Deepdale three days later (Saturday July 31) for a game against Craig Brown's Preston North End (kick-off 3pm).

Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon then visit Ewood on Wednesday, August 4 (kick-off 7.45pm).

And Souness is also hoping to fix-up another game abroad - possibly in Holland - before the real action gets under way on August 14.

The full list of Premiership fixtures will be unveiled next Thursday.