TOMMY Spurr will be part of a strengthened Blackburn Rovers team in tonight’s U21s Premier League Cup clash with Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village (7pm).

It will be the fit-again full-back’s second appearance for Eric Kinder’s side in the space of a week after playing for 65 minutes in their 3-0 U21s Premier League loss at Bolton Wanderers last Monday.

Spurr, who has yet to kick a ball for the first team this season because of a groin injury, will be joined in Kinder’s starting line-up by five young players who have returned to Rovers following loan spells with clubs lower down the English football ladder.

Goalkeeper David Raya, defenders Jack O’Connell and Anthony O’Connor, midfielder John O’Sullivan and striker Jordan Slew start after their stints at Southport, Rochdale, Plymouth Argyle, Accrington Stanley and Port Vale respectively came to an end.

O’Sullivan, who is interesting League One outfit Barnsley, will captain Rovers.

The winners of tonight’s last-16 tie will be away to Newcastle United in the quarter-finals.

Rovers: Raya, Nyambe, Spurr, Bauress, O’Connor, O’Connell, O’Sullivan, Carson, Rittenberg, Slew, Mahoney. Subs: Doyle, Crump, Lavelle, Wall, Preston.