Adam Wharton will feature against Walsall in the Carabao Cup opening round tomorrow night at Ewood Park.

The youngster missed most of pre-season due to a combination of injury and illness but came off the bench for the final half hour against West Brom on the opening day.

Scott Wharton is also set to be involved against the Saddlers, while summer signing Niall Ennis will also get some minutes under his belt.

Sam Gallagher has done some light training as he recovers from a knock, while Arnor Sigurdsson and Jack Vale both remain sidelined.

Joe Rankin-Costello will be given a rest after taking a couple of knocks at the weekend but he is not an injury concern.

“Joe is not playing,” Tomasson revealed. “Adam is playing and it was good to see him getting minutes (against West Brom).

“He did some great things when he came on – that pass to Harry Leonard and the backheel in the midfield.

“He didn’t have the perfect pre-season and we are building up his fitness in that way. But we know he is an exceptional talent.

“Niall will get minutes, we will see how long he can play. He is working on his fitness. He played 45 minutes in the internal game against Accrington.”

Rovers had some joy in the cups last season, getting to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and the quarter-final of the FA Cup.

Tomasson is keen to give the supporters more moments to celebrate over the coming season but admits the squad is more stretched this time around.

“Last season, we had two great runs in the cups,” he added. “I think we shouldn’t forget that we gave our fans some really good moments and I would live to get those moments again this season.

“On the other hand, we are probably more stretched this season compared to last season regarding numbers. But of course, I will make a lot of changes.

“We need everybody this year, for sure. They need to be up to speed so they will get minutes. It is good for competition. I also used the cup last season to give a couple of debuts as well.”