BLACKBURN Rovers Academy coach Gary Bowyer is hoping the club goes all the way in the UEFA Cup this season because it may lead to greater opportunities for some of his best young players.

Manager Mark Hughes is well aware that a run in Europe places greater strain on his first team resources, which is why he's been reluctant to let senior players turn out for the reserves so far this term in case they pick up injuries.

However, the knock-on effect of that is it gives the club's young Academy stars more opportunities to shine at a higher level, which can only aid their development.

Bowyer said: "It's been a good season for us so far in the sense that because the first team have commitments in Europe, that has provided our lads with a lot of opportunities to push on and play in the reserves.

"This season especially, Glyn Hodges has fielded a very young reserve team and the challenge for our lads now is to try and get in there.

"The opportunity for them to do that is greater this year than it has ever been."

With many of the senior Academy players making the step up into the second string, that has also led to further opportunities for some of the younger players further down the chain to step into the breach at Under 18 level.

"It has a knock-on effect," said Bowyer.

"We've said to some of our lads, who have come in as first years, the opportunity is there for them to establish themselves in the youth team because some of our older players have moved up.

"A couple of the schoolboys have also progressed into the Youth team this season, so that's good as well because it stretches them and pushes them on, which is what it's all about."

In the meantime, Bowyer's focus will switch to the FA Youth Cup this week when Rovers face a tricky looking third round tie at Reading on Wednesday night.

Last season, the club were victims of a giant-killing when Brighton and Hove Albion dumped them out at the fifth round stage, so Bowyer and his young charges are determined the same thing doesn't happen again.

"I know you shouldn't look back but we should have done a little bit better than we did last season, so we'll be challenging this year's group to try and have a better run than last year's lot," said Bowyer.

"It's a great chance for our lads to further their development by playing on league grounds, which is ultimately where they want to get to.

"They're different nights for the kids and it's good experience for them."