BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness is set to give youth its chance as Rovers prepare to launch their defence of the Worthington Cup against Walsall tonight.

Reserve midfielders Neil Danns and Jonathan Douglas could both make rare starts against The Saddlers after being named in a provisional 21-man squad.

And Academy starlet Jay McEveley may also be in line for a place on the bench.

Souness recently saw the young defender in action during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Derby County at the Baseball Ground.

And McEveley caught the eye with his performance on the day which has prompted his elevation to the senior squad.

As I understand it, Souness was also hoping to include exciting young midfielder Jerome Watt in his plans but the 17-year-old got a late call in to the England Under 19 squad last week which scuppered that idea.

McEveley's call-up will be warmly received by the Academy staff at Brockhall who are keen to get as many of their players in the first team squad as possible.

Souness will choose from: Kelly, Friedel, Neill, Flitcroft, Taylor, Ostenstad, Duff, Curtis, Todd, Johansson, Pelzer, Gillespie, Dunn, Danns, Mahon, Grabbi, Jansen, Douglas, Dunning, Richards, McEveley.

Meanwhile, Jerome Watt was among the scorers last night as England's Under 19s thrashed Moldova 9-0.