ROVERS boss Graeme Souness plans to celebrate his first anniversary in style tonight with three priceless promotion points at St Andrews.

The fiery Scot has overseen a Rovers revolution since he was officially appointed as Brian Kidd's successor a year ago today.

But, in a strange twist of irony, tonight's clash represents his biggest challenge yet since he accepted an offer to take up the Ewood hotseat.

And a victory over arch promotion rivals Birmingham would mark the perfect end to his first year at the helm.

"It's a vital game and one that neither side want to lose," said Souness.

"They'll see it as a chance to move six points in front of us, all be it from a game more.

"And for us, if we can go down there and avoid defeat, then we'll see that as a good result.

"But we'll be going there to try and win it, as we do with every game we play.

"We know it's going to be a difficult game and we know it's not the best pitch in the world. "But we'll go there with the same attitude that we've taken into every other game this season, which is to let the other team worry about us whilst we try and win it."

After inheriting the mess left by Kidd, Rovers have made real strides under Souness in the last 12 months.

However, the Ewood chief is quick to stress the hard work is still to be done.

And with 13 games remaining, a victory tonight would put Rovers in pole position in the race for second spot.

"If you'd asked me a year ago if I'd be happy with our current position then I suppose I would have taken it but, as always, I'm looking for improvements because I still think we can do better," said Souness.

"There's a lot of football still to be played and there's going to be lots of twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

"People are going to get punched on the nose and it's how you deal with that.

"There's been some good moments and some bad moments in the last year.

"But, as I keep saying, I still think these players have a bit more to give.

"I know we can have good moments in a game but I want them to be longer.

"But, overall, if we can maintain the same determination between now and the end of the season then we have a real chance."

With just three points separating Rovers and third placed City, there's already plenty at stake tonight.

However, the game is sure to have some added spice after Birmingham boss Trevor Francis left Ewood seething on Boxing Day after Rovers pinched a controversial last minute winner.

"I think it's going to be a very competitive game," said Souness.

"I can understand why Trevor was frustrated because they lost last season in the last minute of the game.

"And they also lost in the last minute at Ewood on Boxing Day. "But that's football and we've lost games like that as well.

"So I think what he said was more out of frustration than anything that happened on the pitch."

With a near-capacity crowd of 29,000 likely to pack into St Andrews, Souness has stressed the need for a solid start against a City side who have won their last five League games.

But the Ewood chief is confident his side have the backbone to cope with the pressure.

"If you're a big player and you want to be on the big stage then you have to go to places and take the criticism and the pressure of playing infront of a hostile crowd -- that's part of the deal. So if you've got anything about you, then you should relish that and that should turn you on. And that's how I'm hoping my players will be tonight."

Craig Short returns to the squad after suspension along with Keith Gillespie who missed Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Highbury because he was cup-tied.

Rovers are likely to choose from: Friedel, Kelly, Curtis, Berg, Taylor, Bjornebye, Short, Flitcroft, Hignett, Dunn, Gillespie, Mahon, McAteer, Duff, Jansen, Berkovic, Bent, Hughes.

Meanwhile, Birmingham boss Trevor Francis will have to make a late check on a couple of key players before finalising his team. Midfield duo Stan Lazaridis (groin) and Danny Sonner (Achilles) both look non-starters and there are major doubts over Martin O'Connor (Achilles) and Dele Adebola (hamstring).

Strike-duo Geoff Horsfield and Andy Johnson are also struggling with a virus but Francis may risk them anyway, even if they are not 100 per cent fit.

On the plus side, however, Nicky Eaden looks set to be fit after recovering from a foot injury.

Francis will choose from: Bennett, Atherton, Purse, Johnson M, Grainger, Eaden, Woodhouse, O'Connor, Hughes, Johnson A, Horsfield, Marcelo, Furlong, Holdsworth, Gill, McCarthy, Poole.