ROVERS boss Graeme Souness believes tomorrow's game cannot come soon enough for his players as they look to exorcise the ghosts from Monday night's disappointing draw with Leicester.

"Following a performance like that, you just want to get it out of your system as quickly as possible," said Souness.

"That was the first time in 18 months that I couldn't say we at least looked like scoring and entertained the fans.

"So let's just hope it's another 18 months before I have to say that again.

"We've got players who normally have you on the edge of your seats but none of that happened on Monday night.

"In fact, even I wished I was at home watching Eastenders at half time, it was that bad.

"But tomorrow's game promises to be different altogether.

"Southampton are at home, they're still looking for their first home win, and it all points to it being an exciting game.

"I think they'll try and come after us because sooner or later they're going to win at home.

"I just hope it's not at our expense."

The Saints have taken just one point from their opening four games at St Mary's so far -- a run of results which cost Stuart Gray his job.

But, with new boss Gordon Strachan now in place at the helm, Souness believes the outcome will be anything but straight forward.

"When a new man comes in it provides a lift for everyone," said Souness.

"If the players have anything about them, they'll want to impress and they'll want to show they should be part of his plans so they raise their game accordingly.

"James Beattie, for instance, will want to prove a point against his old club and so for that matter will Kevin Davies.

"So apart from it being a Premier League game away from home, you've got to take into consideration the other factors."

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Neill, Bjornebye, Berg, Short, Johansson, Flitcroft, Dunn, Tugay, Johnson, Gillespie, Jansen, Bent, Hignett, Taylor, Mahon, Curtis, Hughes, Filan.

Southampton (from): Jones, Delap, Dodd, Lundekvam, El-Khalej, Williams, Bridge, Tessem, Oakley, Marsden, Svensson, Telfer, Beattie, Pahars, Davies, McDonald, Monk.