Match guide to Sunderland under-23s’ trip to Blackburn Rovers tomorrow. . .
Fixture: Blackburn Rovers U23 v Sunderland U23
Location: Blackburn Rovers Academy
Date and kick-off: Thursday 2 March, kick-off 12pm.
Competition: Premier League Cup
How they line-up: Blackburn Rovers U23
League: Premier League Division 2
League position: 6th
League wins: 7
League defeats: 7
League goals scored: 18
League goals conceded: 21
League form: LLWWW
Last time out: Blackburn Rovers U23 2-1 Cardiff City U23 (rovers.co.uk)
Rovers' development squad secured their place in the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup after a 2-1 win over Cardiff City.
A first half brace from Joe Rankin-Costello was enough for Damien Johnson's side to claim a sixth consecutive win, and progress through to the last 16 of the competition.
Tommie Hoban and Elliott Ward both played 90 minutes on their return to action, the pair looking composed at the back throughout.
Rovers should have had more goals to their name such was their level of play, instead it was the Bluebirds who grabbed a consolation goal with the last kick of the game as Rhys Abbruzzese tapped home.
The win sees Rovers top their group, their final match is against second-placed Sunderland this Thursday at Leyland.
Spotlight – Blackburn Rovers U23 coach Damien Johnson
Born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in 1978, Johnson began his career at Blackburn Rovers and went on to make just shy of 60 appearances at Ewood Park. The central midfielder then moved to Birmingham City in 2002 and Johnson enjoyed a fine spell in the West Midlands as he made almost 200 appearances. Spells at Plymouth Argyle, Huddersfield Town and Fleetwood Town followed before he retired in 2013. Since bringing an end to his playing days, Johnson rejoined Rovers in 2014 as their under-23s head coach.
Key battle: Lewis Mansell v Sam Brotherton
Sam Brotherton held his hands up following the Black Cats’ defeat at Burnley on Monday, admitting there can be no excuses for the 5-3 defeat. The New Zealand international experienced a debut to forget, but has set his sights on a much improved display on Thursday when the Lads head to Lancashire. However, Brotherton is likely to have little rest as Lewis Mansell looks to continue his impressive vain of form. A tall and combative forward, the 18-year-old enjoyed a fine campaign last terms as he bagged 18 goals for the youth team and then a further six as he stepped up into Johnson’s development side. With five goals so far this term, Mansell will have high hopes of stretching Rovers’ winning streak to seven matches.
