John Eustace has insisted Blackburn Rovers players have to earn their place in the Championship line-up after featuring for the Under-21s.

Six first-team players got valuable minutes as they beat a young Carlisle United team 6-0 on Tuesday. Amario Cozier-Duberry and Todd Cantwell both impressed with the former scoring a hat-trick.

Eustace has remained very loyal to the players who have impressed in their unbeaten start to the season. Seven of the 11 players that began the Lancashire derby at Deepdale have started every league outing.

The head coach admitted he likes to have a settled side with rotation in the forward areas. For the likes of Cozier-Duberry, he will have to be patient and earn their starts.

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"It was a very competitive game and Carlisle had a young group out but the numbers were very high from a physical point of view.

"Their attitude was very good. We need to keep the squad fit and sharp so they're ready when we need them. I've said over a 46-game season, everyone will be involved and we need them.

"If they're not playing right now, they will. You can see the impact we've had from the bench and we have to use it its maximum strength. There will be lots of changes throughout the season."

"We have very good competition for places in those forward areas. It is about rotating around and giving them the opportunity when it's needed," he added.

"Our front four or five have been very consistent in their performances. He will get his opportunity I'm sure in the next few weeks. I'm sure he'll then take it.

"He's a good player but it's about the squad. Not individuals, about everyone working hard and if players come on, making that impact.

"It's important that everyone knows their jobs and does them. It's important in that area they show quality. 

"When things aren't going right in the final third, the starters know that the people who come on can make a difference.

"We want to win games, we want to play good attacking football. We need those forward players, if they're not firing, for the others to come on and take their spot. We have done that up until now.

"I like having a settled team but it's important that in the front area, whoever comes on is hungry and can win the game for us."

Rovers fans have seen flashes from Cantwell since he arrived from Rangers in the summer with two 15-minute cameos.

The attacker remains a few weeks away from being at full flight and so is unlikely to start before the international break. He has been working hard on his fitness behind the scenes and is chomping at the bit for a bigger involvement.

"Todd has been in with us for three weeks now. That was his first 60 minutes of the season," Eustace said.

"He's coming back from pre-season, he is getting up to speed and still probably a couple of weeks away from being fully fit.

"We have a really good player who can't wait to play for the club. We've already seen little glimpses of his quality. It's about managing him properly.

"He's got to get in the team too. There is a lot of competition for places, no individual is guaranteed to start. 

"I have said about the squad. We have some good players in the team, seven, 11 positions. As long as he works hard, he will get his chance eventually and so will others but it's about rotating properly.

"The impact the subs have made, the four or five we bring on in vital periods. The quality is there and we know we have that."