BILLY Barr says Rovers’ FA Youth Cup heroes now have a chance to make a mark in the next stage of their development.

Six of the Under-18s who beat Arsenal 4-1 to set up a last four tie with Arsenal were part of the Under-23s side that drew 1-1 with their Burnley counterparts on Thursday.

They will be given the chance to step up in the final few weeks of what will be an extended campaign due to the coronavirus.

“It’s opportunities for them, our group is really small,” said Barr after the derby stalemate at a blustery Tameside Stadium.

“It’s probably going to be the way we go now.

“It’s opportunity against difficult opposition coming up in, hopefully, better conditions.

“It’s the start of their next journey now. They’re Under-23 players so what can they show us from now until the end of the season?

“We will look at it and try and set different achievements for next season.”

The game against the Clarets was meaningless in the grand scheme of things, Rovers already into the last 16 of the Premier League Cup, where they will face Wolves, and the Clarets eliminated.

But Barr saw Dan Pike give his side an early lead with a wind-assisted effort before Joel Mumbongo levelled things up in the second period in a game played at the home of National League North side Curzon Ashton.

The Development Squad chief thought the encounter had a derby edge with the youngsters having plenty of incentive to shine, especially given their exploits against the Gunners in the FA Youth Cup.

“It’s never a dead rubber or a friendly against Burnley and that’ll be said to both teams,” said Barr.

“It’s a local derby and our lads have set the standard now with the performance against Arsenal in the Youth Cup.

“They have to try and achieve that more. Every opportunity they get, they have to try and attain that standard to progress quicker to the next levels.”

Barr says he has the semi-final clash with City, whenever it takes place, when it comes to his use of the Under-18s stepping up to feature for the Under-23s.

“I think if they were being honest then they’d look at our games as an obstacle before the semi-final, but the reality is that we only have a little squad and these lads have to play,” he said.

“We will do everything we can from now to then to limit game time for certain people and make sure that recoveries are

longer.

“We want to make sure that Under-18s group is ready for the Manchester City game and no one is carrying any sort of

injuries.”

The football shutdown due to the coronavirus means the Under-23s’ game against Chelsea, scheduled for Monday night at Ewood Park, has been postponed.