Richie Wellens has said first team opportunities will be there for young midfielders Lirak Hasani and Liam Ravenhill.
The duo have signed one-year and two-year deals respectively.
“I’ve listened to James Coppinger in terms of advice and know-how on them, because I haven't seen much of them myself,” said Wellens.
“They’ll be given plenty of chances and I’ve said to them both come back as fit as you can, make sure you hit the ground running and do enough to make me think ‘this kid can play’.
“They’ll be exposed to first-team football and if they take the chances that we give them then that is absolutely fantastic. If not, we’ll get them out on loan to further their development because there’s no point these players sitting in the stands watching the first-team play.”
Hasani and Ravenhill came right through the Academy system (Ravenhill joining at U9s and Hasani at U11s after two years in the Development Squad) and Wellens believes it’s important that talented youngsters are coming to Rovers.
“It’s important that the Academy attracts local players,” he added.
“We don’t want to be losing any players to clubs around us and this is a sign that, if you do well, we will give you a route to the first team.”
