YOUTH chief Bobby Downes is hoping to boost Blackburn Rovers' home-produced crop of players, with a plan drawn from the world-renowned Ajax academy.

It will mean even greater opportunities for local youngsters to become involved with the Ewood club.

Downes, who took over as head of Rovers' new-look youth development operation in summer, returned recently from a trip to Holland where, among others, he studied closely the methods of Ajax.

The conclusions from his Dutch visit went into the Brockhall "Think Tank".

And the outcome is that, in addition to their well-established schools of excellence for age groups ranging from under-nine to under-16, Rovers will be looking to catch them even younger - local boys aged six to eight the new group being targeted.

Although the emphasis will be on fun, with small-sided games, the incentive will be there for players who show most potential to progress to a place on the club's schools of excellence.

The scheme is set to start later this month, with Rovers' Football in the Community set-up organising the sessions on Saturday mornings at the club's indoor centre (BRIC).

As well as strengthening their links with the community, Rovers are also eager to ensure they do not miss out on capturing the most promising young players in their immediate area.

"I don't think the club has always got the best of the local talent," said Downes.

"At the moment, we have nothing organised for the younger boys and we want to address that. I saw Ajax busing in youngsters aged from six upwards from quite a big radius. "Our aim is to concentrate on local lads. Our centres of excellence start at under-nines but this will give the younger boys an opportunity to link up with their local club.

"We are not talking about serious coaching at that age, we are looking at enjoyment and fun. But it does also give us a chance to look at the local talent.

"And there will be the incentive that opportunities will arise for the best to join our centres of excellence."

Application forms will appear in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on Friday and Monday for the sessions titled "Soccer Sixes".

Obviously entries will have to be restricted because of the limit on the facilities at the BRIC. They will be accepted on a first come, first served

Peter Devine, who heads Rovers' Community programme, said: "We will be looking at small-sided games and a minimum of two sessions - six games - for everyone whose application is accepted.

"And if it is oversubscribed, we will also keep the names and details of everyone who applies on file."

Meanwhile, there is good news on the disciplinary front for striker Chris Sutton.

Rovers have applied to the FA to have his last caution expunged under the new system.

As a reward for good behaviour, anyone who plays five successive full games without being cautioned can have the last booking removed from the records.

Sutton, who is joint leading scorer in the Premiership with 10 League goals from 13 games, now only has two bookings against his name.

Suspensions are initially imposed after five yellow cards, with another following after eight.

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