Billy Barr feels Rovers’ flying full backs are in fine form as the Under-23s look to avenge an early season defeat when they travel to Arsenal tonight.

Lenny Cirino and Dan Pike both impressed in the 5-1 win over Southampton on Monday as Rovers cemented second spot in Premier League 2.

Right back Pike has been one of the stand-out performers this season, while left back Cirino has come into the side in recent weeks, the teenager claiming an assist in the Saints win.

They will look to continue that form against the young Gunners, who, with Emile Smith-Rowe in their ranks, thrashed Rovers 6-0 in the reverse fixture, one of only three defeats for Barr’s side this season.

That task could become that bit more difficult however, with Arsenal, who have won just five matches all season and sit ninth in the standings, could include both Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah in their line-up.

Neither travelled with the first-team squad to last night’s Europa League tie against Olympiacos despite being regulars in the early rounds. Nelson is yet to start a Premier League game this season, while Nketiah has started three, but has managed just 12 minutes of top-flight football in 2021.

As for Rovers, Barr has been impressed with his young group, and said: “The younger ones are coming in now and I thought it was Lenni Cirino’s best performance for us going forward against Southampton.

“He was exceptional going forward, as was Dan Pike on the other side.

“They really do create problems for the opposition and it comes from the shape of the forwards being infield and further up.

“That allows the space for them and we’re just really pleased for all the lads.

“Going wide is something we like to do, but if we can’t do that then we don’t mind going through the middle.”

Barr, who will welcome captain Sam Barnes back from suspension, wants to use the heavy defeat in November to the Gunners as inspiration ahead of tonight’s game.

He added: “It would be nice to get back-to-back wins and we’ll see how everyone is feeling tomorrow.

“We’ll assess things and then prepare for Arsenal with the aim of getting the result down there.

“It would be nice to get revenge considering they beat us at Leyland early in the season, even though is was self-induced on the night.

“We can use that as a stick to beat them with and we’d like to go through the season with nobody getting the double over us, particularly Arsenal.

“Our work will be done before now and then and we’ll be ready for that one."