DAMIEN Johnson is relishing another tough test for his Blackburn Rovers Under-23 team tonight as they make their way to Carlisle United for their second match in the Checkatrade Trophy (7.45pm).

The Rovers young guns go into the Group D encounter at the League Two promotion pushers on the back of successive victories.

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They followed their 3-2 Premier League 2 win over Wolves with a 2-0 derby success over Burnley in the Premier League Cup at Ewood Park on Friday.

Rovers will also take confidence from their impressive display in their Checkatrade Trophy opener at League One side Fleetwood Town where they went down to a harsh 1-0 defeat.

But Johnson accepts they will have to produce a similar performance against a Carlisle side who are one of only two teams in the Football League yet to lose this season.

The Rovers Under-23 lead coach said: “I said before the Fleetwood game this is going to be a great competition for us.

“Other people will have their opinions but we really enjoyed the evening at Fleetwood and pitting our wits against experienced league players.

“This is another opportunity for us. Carlisle have had a good start to the season, they’re unbeaten, and it’s going to be a really difficult evening, but one we’re looking forward to.

“Carlisle will have done their homework on us. They’ve come and watched us and paid us respect. Likewise we’ve been up to watch them and we have a lot of respect for them.

“We’re under no illusions of how difficult it’s going to be. Keith Curle is doing a fantastic job up there, they’re near the top of the table, they’re a terrific team and they’ve gone unbeaten for a good reason.

“It will be a real tough test for us but a great experience at the same time.”

As one of the 16 Premier League and Championship clubs with category one academies invited into the competition, Rovers must include six players who were under the age of 21 on June 30 in their line-ups.

Against Fleetwood every one of their players who took to the field at Highbury were aged under 20.

But Johnson would have no complaints should Rovers first-team boss Owen Coyle decide some of his senior stars need a run out.

“It’s the manager’s prerogative what he wants to do on the night,” said Johnson. “He’s been terrific with the young players here. He’s showed if they do well enough they will get an opportunity.

“He takes a real involvement with the games and if we go up there young, like we were at Fleetwood, then great, and if we happen to have one or two first-team players who need a game, that’s okay as well.

“All the lads who have dropped down this season, like Wes Brown, Elliott Bennett, Stokesy (Anthony Stokes) and Corry (Evans), have been terrific. Really top pros all of them.

“It goes without saying when a young centre-back is playing alongside someone like Wes Brown the amount they learn from is invaluable, watching how he talks and communicates.”

Coyle added: “There are one or two who might get minutes but equally that’s an important tournament for our young players and their development.

“I’ve stressed before the importance of having that nucleus in that young group coming through because I think there’ll be a number who will play for Blackburn Rovers in the years to come.

“It’s important we don’t have too many getting in the way of those young kids’ development.

“Going to Carlisle, as they did at Fleetwood, is a great opportunity for them to have an introduction to League football, which we crave for them all.

“We will look at it and if we feel one or two need some minutes we’ll certainly make them available for it.”