Gary Bowyer has called on Blackburn Rovers‘ young players to grasp their opportunity to break into the first team as he prepares for the new Championship season.

Rovers are currently under a transfer embargo, heightening the need for players to make the breakthrough from youth to senior football.

Bowyer feels there has never been a better time for the younger players to stake a claim for a first-team place.

“I’m delighted that we have been able give the youngsters a run out and get them mixing with the pros,” said the Rovers boss.

Last season saw Darragh Lenihan, David Raya and John O’Sullivan all making an impact and Bowyer included youngsters Anton Forrester, Ryan Nyambe, Andy Fisher, Connor Mahoney and Lewis Mansell on the pre-season tour to Portugal.

The Ewood Park boss says pre-season will be vital in allowing him to select younger players, giving them the experience needed for the cut and thrust of the Championship .

“Certainly when you look at our situation this season with the transfer embargo, it is important that we blood them quickly and get them ready because the situation might be that we have to play them,” he added.

Rovers finished ninth in the Championship last season, 11 points outside the play-off places, and Bowyer will be hoping he can steer his team much closer to a top-six finish this time around.

Bowyer was encouraged by what he saw from some of his younger players in Rovers’ opening pre-season win against Accrington Stanley.

Blackburn are 8.00 to win promotion next season while they are 2.50 to begin with a win at home to Wolves on Saturday, August 8.