BLACKBURN’S young guns have roared ‘we can take the pressure’ with the weight of responsibility of securing Premier League safety falling heavily on their shoulders.

Phil Jones, 19, and Junior Hoilett, 20, are seen as the club’s potential top-flight saviours by the Ewood Park faithful and, ahead of today’s crucial visit of Birmingham, the duo have insisted they are relishing the challenge.

Canadian winger Hoilett has been Rovers’ most likely matchwinner in recent months while last weekend’s return of local hero Jones has been hailed by supporters as pivotal moment in the season.

Fellow strugglers Birmingham arrive at Ewood this afternoon with both sides’ Premier League status hanging firmly in the balance as they sit just two points clear of the drop zone.

The stakes are high this afternoon in front of an expectant and nervy Ewood Park but Rovers starlets are adamant they are up to the task ahead.

Jones said: “I think the responsibility is something we relish. Obviously we do have big responsibilities because we have been in the side for a number of games, it doesn’t matter how old you are you still have to step up to the plate on and off the field.

“We have to be leaders as well. That is the way it should be. Just because you are 18 or 19 you should feel confident enough to tell someone if they are not doing what they should be doing.

“We are only trying to help at the end of the day and vice versa. If we are not doing something right we expect to be told. That is why we have such a good team spirit.

“No one is frightened of saying stuff and come Saturday we will be raring to go. You have to relish games like this. The remainder of our games are massive and we have to be excited about them. We are at home and we will express ourselves and come Saturday we need everyone behind us and raring to go.

“It is a real cup final. The point against Arsenal on Saturday was fantastic but it will only be any good if we get three against Birmingham this weekend.”

Both Hoilett and Jones have risen through the club’s youth system to establish themselves a key Premier League performers this season, along with the likes of Swedish international Martin Olsson.

Hoilett has finally started to fulfil his obvious potential over the past few months and scored a priceless equaliser in the 2-2 draw with Blackpool last time out at Ewood.

He said: “I don’t think about the pressure and I don’t of myself being a youngster. All I think about is playing every game as though it is my last and expressing myself and believing in myself.. If you did think about the pressure it would be difficult to deal with so I try not to think about it.

“Of course the Premier League is going to be in your head because that is your job and that is what you do. Of course we all want to stay in the Premier League and are focusing on playing every game as though it is our last.

“Our position has just jumped at us and it is a surprise. This season has been crazy, there are eight teams in the same position as us.

“We can’t think too much about being in a relegation fight because all we need is a couple of wins and we will back up the table.

It has been a crazy season and any two wins on the bounce could put us in a healthy position again.”