Harry Leonard netted from the half-way line whilst Aynsley Pears made his return from injury as Blackburn Rovers Under-21s beat Barnsley on Wednesday.
John Buckley also played 90 minutes whilst Leo Duru continued his comeback from injury by getting another hour in the tank. Jake Batty and George Pratt were the other players to feature among those who travelled to Spain with Valerien Ismael's squad.
Rovers have been very careful with injuries throughout pre-season, with the head coach insistent they will not take any further risks. Pears has yet to feature in any of the warm-up games despite flying out to Spain due to an ongoing hip issue.
However, he got 90 minutes in a 3-0 victory over the League One side, who start their campaign at Plymouth Argyle this weekend. It's not been the ideal preparations for Pears as he competes with Balazs Toth for the number one shirt this season.
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Leonard also hasn't featured in any of the pre-season games but has been building up his minutes with Mike Sheron's team. He scored twice in this one, including a stunning hit from inside his own half.
The 21-year-old has been plagued by injuries in the last 18 months, with the latest setback a recurrence of the back problem that ruled him out last season. In between, he's dislocated his shoulder in what has been a stop-start two years.
Nice to be back out there…
— Harry Leonard (@HarryLeonard03) July 30, 2025
Feeling good! pic.twitter.com/WeAHC5DV6u
This 50-yard strike as well as more match minutes, will no doubt do Leonard's confidence the world of good. The forward clearly has talent but needs a run of matches to continue his development, which is most likely to come in a loan deal away from Ewood Park.
Batty and Buckley turned providers in the second half with the left-back laying on Leonard's second before the latter teed up Joe Boggan.
Boss Sheron said: “It was a good run out for all players, a clean sheet, plenty of learning and it is always great to see a few goals going in the back of the net.”
Rovers XI: Pears; Duru (Houghton, 60), Olson, Pratt (Davies, 70), Batty (Powell,60); Buckley, O’Grady-Macken (Farkas, 70), Stritch (Wood, 70); A. Doherty, Dlamini (Mafoumbi, 60), Leonard (Boggan, 60).
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