Rovers hope Hayden Carter will develop in just the same way as Scott Wharton after making his first move away from Ewood Park.

Carter enjoyed a dream start to life at his new loan club Burton Albion, scoring the winner at Gillingham as the Brewers claimed just a third win of the season, and a first clean sheet.

It was also a first win for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink since he returned to the Pirelli Stadium as manager earlier this month, with 21-year-old Carter.

Hasselbaink has had success in development Rovers youngsters before, Darragh Lenihan spending time with the Brewers during the Dutchman’s first spell in charge, playing 15 times in the 2014/15 season in which they were promoted from League One.

Now bottom of the third tier, Hasselbaink is looking to launch something of a revival, with Rovers allowing Carter to leave on loan at a time when they are desperately short of defensive options.

They include 23-year-old Wharton, who will miss much of 2021 with an Achilles injury, having impressed in his six appearance since returning from a series of loan spells in the EFL, most recently with Northampton Town.

Carter has played just three senior matches in his career before his loan move, and Mowbray sees this as a vital stage of his development, and said he would have never sanctioned the move had he felt the young defender was ready for more first-team opportunities at Rovers.

It comes as Rovers look set to make a move for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, three years Carter's junior.

He said: “Hayden Carter wouldn’t have gone to Burton if we thought Hayden Carter was the answer.

“The likes of Hayden and Brad Lyons (who joined Morecambe on loan) it was a balance of moving their careers on, they have to go and experience men’s football, go and play in a team where the points are crucial and they feel the pressure of winning football matches.

“That will accelerate their development. Scotty Wharton went out for three years to go and develop, grow, especially as a centre half which is a man’s job really.

“You’re playing against experienced men and you have to know how to use your body, to be resilient, strong, powerful, and sometimes young guys have to go and do that and feel what it’s like to go and play to try and win.

“I think it will be good for Hayden to go to Burton. I’ve had long conversations with Jimmy Floyd and we’re looking forward to him doing well for them.

“They’ve been conceding a lot of goals and hopefully Hayden can go there and help with that situation.”

Mowbray handed Carter his Rovers debut in the penultimate match of last season, while he followed that up with a start against Luton Town on the final day.

He is one of a clutch of young centre halves at the club, with Wharton the most experienced, as well as Tyler Magloire and Joe Grayson, both who have had spells out on loan.

Of Carter, Mowbray added: “I think Hayden’s got a real chance of being a really good footballer at a really decent level.

“This is his opportunity to go and do that albeit at League One level.”