BLACKBURN Rovers Under-23s start a new era tonight when they play for the first time at their new home of the County Ground in Leyland.

Captain Scott Wharton is unlikely to play any part in the clash with Middlesbrough (7pm) at the Lancashire FA’s headquarters after making an impressive debut for the first team on Saturday.

MORE TOP STORIES:

But the rest of the club’s promising youngsters will be on show and Rovers boss Damien Johnson said: “We’re really pleased to move to the County Ground.

“Leigh Sports Village has been a good home for us but it is a distance from Blackburn for a home game. To be more local is definitely something we all wanted. Hopefully the lads can enjoy their football there.

“The big hope is that people come along and have a look at the lads coming through. It’s good for the lads if they know there are people watching. It adds that little bit of pressure and that’s more like replicating what they’re going to be exposed to in a first-team environment.

“It’s a good pitch, a great facility, and I’m sure it will be a good home for us. The more people who come the better and hopefully we’ll put in some performances.”

Johnson was impressed with his side’s second-half showing in their Premier League 2 opener at Fulham last Monday.

But a stunning late strike ensured they went home empty handed.

Johnson said: “We were disappointed with elements of the first half but for 44 minutes of the second half we were outstanding.

“To be fair to the kid it was a bit of a wonder goal. It was a tough lesson but you’ve got to take your chances and if you can’t win a game, you don’t get beat.

“It was a big lesson to learn but that’s what we’re here for.”