DAVID Raya tonight returns to the scene of the happiest memory of his fledgling Blackburn Rovers career.

The young goalkeeper will be recalled for the EFL Cup third-round encounter with Championship rivals Leeds United.

It was at Elland Road where Raya made his debut for the club in April 2015.

It was a memorable one, too.

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Then just 19, the Spanish stopper produced an assured display as Rovers, assisted by the first-half sending off of Rodolph Austin, ran out 3-0 winners.

Then manager Gary Bowyer was impressed.

So much so that he selected Raya ahead of Jason Steele and Simon Eastwood at the start of last season.

But after five winless games to kick off the campaign Bowyer went back to the more experienced Steele.

That proved to be Raya’s last involvement with the first team until current Rovers manager Owen Coyle selected him for the EFL Cup second-round tie at home to Crewe Alexandra.

The 21-year-old was at fault for Crewe’s second goal, spilling Billy Bingham’s long-range shot into the path of Chris Dagnall.

But he redeemed himself by making a series of saves, one stunning from Callum Saunders, as Rovers fought back to win 4-3 after extra-time and set up the tie with Leeds.

“I’m looking forward to the game and taking my chance,” said Raya ahead of the Roses clash.

“It went all right against Crewe. I made a mistake for the second goal but after that I picked myself up and made two saves to keep the team in the game. So I think it was successful as we got through.

“You never know when your chance will come but if the gaffer tells you before it comes it’s better as you can get ready earlier and you think about it a bit more.

“Leeds was where I made my full debut. It’s going to bring some memories back and I can think about that game.

“It couldn’t have gone any better. We won 3-0, Leeds got a man sent off in the first half, which helped us a little bit, and we got the win.

“I then started the first five games of last season but I hadn’t played a proper game until Crewe Alexandra in the last round of the cup.

“It was a tough 12 months to be fair but you get through it and when you get your chance you have to take it.

“You have to keep yourself motivated, keep working hard, and see what happens, and when the chance comes you have to take it and do your best.

“My main aim now is to be in the team. I cannot go anywhere even if I wanted to (with the emergency loan window closed).

“And anyway I don’t want to go because I’m happy here so let’s see what happens.”