BLACKBURN Rovers' reserves are in action against Aston Villa at Morecambe's Christie Park tonight (kick off 7pm) and manager Alan Murray has named a youthful squad in light of the first team's current injury problems.

Markus Babbel and Lorenzo Amoruso both joined the injured list earlier this week which means that Martin Taylor and Nissa Johansson will not be risked against Villa this evening.

Young striker Paul Gallagher is also a doubt after taking a whack on the top of his foot so Academy starlet Keith Barker is standing by to deputise if necessary.

With Vratislav Gresko currently struggling for form in the first team, Jay McEveley could stake his claim for a possible call-up with an impressive performance at the back.

And German midfielder Sergio Peter, a member of Rovers' Under 17 team, has also been named in Murray's 16-man squad.

"We've said all along that we regard the reserves as a development team so we'll see how some of the young lads get on tonight," said Murray.

Rovers' squad is: Renton, Peers, Bruce, McEveley, Pelzer, Black, Donnelly, Nelson, Morgan, Johnson, Barker, Drench, Corvino, Andy Taylor, Peter, Gallagher.