GARY Bowyer has challenged Fabio Nunes to force his way into the Blackburn Rovers side this season – as the winger prepares to face his old club tonight.

Rovers are currently in Portugal on a training camp and take on Portimonense in their second friendly of pre-season tonight at 7.30pm.

The match will be a special one for Nunes, who returns to the club where he started his career before joining Rovers last summer.

The 20-year-old left winger showed promise early last season but made only seven appearances in total because of a persistent hamstring injury.

Rovers have already moved on Nuno Gomes and Nuno Henrique, who were among last summer’s Portuguese arrivals, but Bowyer believes Nunes still has the ability to shine at Ewood Park.

“He’s still got a lot to learn in terms of understanding the English game,” Bowyer said of a player whose Rovers contract runs until 2015.

“It takes time to adapt, you hear that of the top players in the Premier League.

“How long did it take Ronaldo at Manchester United to settle?

“Fabio has got loads to learn about the English league but he certainly has potential.

“He’s someone we’re looking at closely in pre-season and it’s up to him.

“Ultimately the players pick the team by how they perform. We say that to them.

“Fabio’s one we are looking at and saying, ‘Here’s your opportunity, it’s up to you to take it in pre-season’.

“The ones who do will be the ones who are starting against Derby.”

Rovers open their season at Pride Park on August 4.

Nunes featured on the left flank in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Wrexham “Fabio had a great start to last season,” the Rovers boss said.

“He then had a torrid time, the poor lad, with hamstrings.

“But he came on a couple of times and I can remember him setting up Nuno Gomes against Barnsley with a hell of a cross.

“That’s what he’s capable of.”

Rovers’ under 21s travel to Southport this afternoon for a 3pm kick-off.

Hugo Fernandez, John O’Sullivan and Jack O’Connell, who all featured for the Rovers first team at Wrexham, are due to be involved against a Southport side managed by former Blackburn full back Alan Wright.