Rovers boss Tony Mowbray will demand the same standards of tonight’s new-look side that he does from his first choice XI in the Carabao Cup tie at Bournemouth (7.45pm).

The Ewood chief is expected to ring the changes after three gruelling league matches which saw Rovers claim five points from a tough looking fixture list.

That shows no signs of abating with Saturday’s visit of Nottingham Forest the first of three Championship games in the space of a week.

Mowbray will hand opportunities to a number of fringe players, with some senior faces not expected to travel to the south coast, but that won’t stop the manager from demanding a strong performance from his side.

“That’s what you say to them - this is a chance. If you haven’t played as many minutes as you would have liked to this season then here’s your opportunity,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“It will be the same preparation, I will try and find the same intensity on the touchline to make sure they’re driven and working hard.

“I know we’re playing against a different level of opposition, a Premier League team for a few years and well established in how they play.

“We will approach it really positively. We have tried to develop a way of playing that will give us an identity, that’s hopefully full of energy and playing on the front foot and that won’t change.

“We should relish the opportunity to go and play against a Premier League club.”

Mowbray could hand a debut to Jack Rodwell in the middle of defence while Paul Downing will also be eyeing some involvement at the Vitality Stadium.

Lewis Travis should return in midfield while in attack, Ben Brereton could make his first start with Joe Rothwell, Adam Armstrong and Kasey Palmer all in line to play.

Bournemouth lost for just a second time this season on Saturday when they were beaten 4-0 at Burnley.

Eddie Howe’s side, eighth in the table, don’t play again until hosting Crystal Palace on Monday night, so Mowbray is expecting a tough assignment on the south coast.

“It’s a great challenge for us. We’re going to play a Premier League side and they don’t have a game at the weekend, they play on the Monday, so there won’t be a real fatigue issue for them,” he added.

“I’m not sure Eddie will be rotating too much after the result they got at the weekend, he might give them another opportunity.

“But I’m sure they will have players who he wants to give game-time to as well.

“From all the reports of their game (against Burnley) it seems they were pretty dominant with the ball, they had over 60 per cent possession yet Burnley won 4-0.

“Looking at the comments from Eddie Howe, he seemed reasonably happy with the performance if not the result.

“They are at home and I am pretty sure they will be confident of going through against a Championship side.

“But it’s a game for us to test ourselves and see what it’s like playing down there and one we should look forward.”