Strachan has just one plan

Southampton manager Gordon Strachan has called on his players to show the same spirit conjured up by England on Saturday when they play at the intimidating Steaua Stadium tonight.

Saints will be boosted by 2,000 travelling supporters but need a victory or high-scoring draw after conceding an away goal in the first leg, which finished 1-1.

Strachan said: "It's good having our fans here. However, as England showed, it's about your own self-motivation."

The situation has not been helped by a lengthy injury list with Graeme Le Saux, Neil McCann, Matt Oakley and Marian Pahars all definitely out, and Chris Marsden a major doubt.

Strachan has called up the teenage midfielders Leandre Griffit, Yoann Folly and Aaron Davies.

"We'll try and win," the manager said, "because we're not clever enough to do anything else."

Steve McManaman claims it will be a travesty if Manchester City are knocked out of the UEFA Cup tonight.

City go into the match against the struggling Belgian side holding a narrow 3-2 lead from the first leg in Manchester but the two-time European Cup winner, with Real Madrid, expects a resounding triumph at the Daknam Stadium.

"We have a lots of lads who have played in big games so that should not be a problem," said the former Liverpool midfielder.

"In all honesty we should be going to Lokeren and winning quite easily. If we don't we will be deeply disappointed. I have been following their results and they haven't won a game and have had a lot of defeats."

McManaman is expected to return after a hamstring injury ruled him out of the 1-0 defeat by Wolves 10 days ago, and Richard Dunne and Danny Tiatto should also be in contention after missing that same match.

Blackburn Rovers take on Turkish side Genclerbirligi at Ewood Park without Lucas Neill and Barry Ferguson.

Neill has lost half a stone battling against pneumonia, while Ferguson is cup tied after playing for Rangers in a Champions League qualifier earlier this season.

Manager Graeme Souness insists that Rovers are anxious to make amends for the defeat in Ankara three weeks ago which has sparked a three-game losing run.

"There's a determination amongst the players," asserted Souness. "We've had a bad taste in our mouth since we played Leeds. We've had that for a long time and it's not a nice one to have. The players are desperate to get rid of that taste.

"It's not impossible for us to score two goals. But as with all European games you have to make sure you're tight at the back. That's where we need to improve."