BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is ready to turn to the club's Academy in the wake of Rovers' latest injury crisis.
With five first team midfielders currently unavailable through a combination of injuries and suspensions, Souness has seen his squad decimated ahead of today's crucial North West derby with Bolton Wanderers.
And that could open a window of opportunity for Academy starlet Ciaran Donnelly, who has been drafted into Souness's squad for this afternoon's game with Wanderers.
Donnelly is the latest player to roll off the Academy's production line and Souness insists the talented midfield schemer will be given every opportunity to show what he can do, if not now then at some point in the not-too-distant future.
The forward-thinking Rovers boss has never been afraid to place his trust in youth in the past.
During his time at Liverpool, he was the manager who gave Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman their big breaks as teenagers in the Reds' first team.
And he's continued that trend at Rovers where Academy graduates Jay McEveley, Paul Gallagher, Neil Danns and Jonathan Douglas have all tasted first team action during Souness's three and a half years in charge.
Now Donnelly could be the latest teenager to be blooded at that level as Rovers' injury problems begin to bite.
"Ciaran is an attacking midfield player who can get goals," said Souness.
"He has represented his country at Youth level and he's got a wonderful attitude, a great engine, and he'll be given his chance, whether that's today or in the near future.
"But he's got a chance to make it in the game.
"It's hard to judge people in reserve games because sometimes the conditions they are asked to play in are not the best.
"But given our situation, in terms of injuries and suspensions, this is an obvious one to involve him in."
Big things were expected of Donnelly when he first exploded onto the Academy scene several seasons ago.
A stylish box-to-box midfield player with an eye for goal, the Blackpool-born teenager has respresented England on a host of occasions at various different age groups.
And he once achieved the rare distinction of scoring four times in the same game for England.
However, despite his obvious potential, it's taken him longer than expected to make the breakthrough into the senior ranks.
Nevertheless, with finances as tight as they are, it's vital that Souness can draw on players from the Academy in times of crisis.
Ideally, Souness would like to bring in several new faces to bolster his resources but a limited transfer budget means his hands are tied, which is why Donnelly may soon get his chance.
"For a club like ours, which invests so much in the Academy, it's vital that we get players coming through," said Souness.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article