ANDY Todd has been placed on 'Ruud alert' ahead of Rovers' daunting trip to Manchester United tomorrow.

Ewood chief Graeme Souness looks set to give the re-born defender the unenviable task of blunting Dutch master Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

And the 28-year-old knows another eye-catching performance will help to boost his claims for a regular starting spot, especially at a time when Craig Short is set to return to the fold following a four month injury lay-off.

Amazingly, Todd was busy preparing for a game against Walsall in the First Division six weeks ago as he completed a loan spell at Burnley.

At that point, his Rovers career appeared to have ground to a halt following the arrival of Lorenzo Amoruso and Markus Babbel.

However, a spate of injuries and suspensions prompted Rovers to recall him and Todd's resurgence has continued to gather momentum ever since.

It's a remarkable turnaround for a player who had a transfer request accepted by the club four months ago.

But Souness's mantra has always been to stay loyal to those who do the business for him on match day.

And now the Rovers boss is ready to hand Todd the toughest challenge of all by instructing him to put the shackles on the deadly Van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford.

"I think if you look back, Andy was a bit unlucky last year," said Souness.

"He was in the team and doing well but then got sent off against Birmingham which cost him his place and he hardly got a look-in after that.

"But football is a strange game and the situation can change overnight.

"The way things have worked out, he's now got the shirt back and he will keep it unless he starts playing badly.

"That's the way I've always worked in the past. If you are doing well then you'll stay in the team.

"You can't leave someone out just because someone else is coming back after suspension."

Todd underlined his quality by playing a starring role in the first leg of Rovers' Worthington Cup semi-final draw at Old Trafford last season.

On that night last January, Van Nistelrooy drew a rare blank in front of goal as the two teams fought out a thrilling 1-1 draw.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman's scoring record over the last three years stands up against the very best in the business and, ominously for Rovers, he sharpened his sights in preparation for tomorrow's encounter with a hat-trick for Holland against Scotland on Wednesday night.

On top of that, United also have history on their side.

Rovers must go back 43 years to find their last victory at Old Trafford -- a 3-1 win inspired by a Derek Dougan hat-trick.

In contrast, United have lost only one of their previous 21 home games in the Premiership.

On paper, therefore, it looks like a home banker but Rovers upset the form book last season by denting United's title hopes at Ewood and Souness believes his players are more than capable of springing another surprise, providing they play to their full potential.

"If we didn't believe that, there would be little point in us turning up," said Souness.

"Having said that, we are still under no illusions about the size of the task which is facing us.

"Old Trafford is the type of place where you need all 11 of your team wanting to take part.

"If only six or seven of your players are on their game then you are going to get beat.

"But if my players have anything about them then this is the kind of stage on which they'll want to perform and show how good they are.

'We are playing against the champions of England in one of the greatest venues in the world so I'd like to think that my players will be relishing the challenge."

One bonus for Rovers will be the absence of Paul Scholes.

During the four meetings between the two clubs last season, the England international helped himself to five goals, but a groin injury means he must sit out tomorrow's game.