Harvey Higgins - who is breakthrough Rovers striker?

After losing Igor Tyjon to Arsenal, Blackburn have promoted striker Harvey Higgins as their next young forward in line.

Manager Tony Mowbray said Higgins, 17, was "physically ready" when handing him his debut in last Saturday's Lancashire derby at Preston as the third youngest player to feature in the Championship this season.

Mowbray has also spoken about trying to "drip-feed" academy talent, but again turned to Higgins with Blackburn 2-1 down at home to Sheffield United on Tuesday as he looked to spark a comeback.

It is in these circumstances that Higgins is being introduced to senior football at Ewood Park.

Those opportunities have been hard-earned on the back of a prolific youth career.

After signing his first professional contract with his boyhood club upon turning 17 in February, Higgins earned his first England Under-17 call-up the following month and has since scored twice in three appearances at that level.

In April, Higgins helped Blackburn reach the Under-17 Premier League Cup final, scoring in a 3-2 defeat by West Ham.

Having also represented England Under-16s, Higgins has established himself as a clinical finisher at youth level.

He is also the type of forward who constantly runs in behind defences to create chances for himself.

Blackburn's squad is relatively thin and the club sit 18th in the Championship after a stuttering start to the season.

However, it presents an opportunity for players such as Higgins to make a name for themselves at an academy that continues to punch above its weight.

That makes Higgins' rise all the more impressive given he has spent his entire development at the Lancashire club.

There will be fears, however, that he could go the way of Tyjon and leave for a top Premier League club.

Still, although unlikely to start, they will be hoping he can get his first senior goal when Millwall visit on Saturday.