JASON Lowe will lead Rovers out at QPR this afternoon almost six years to the day since he made his debut against the same opposition, in the same competition.

Lowe was a fresh-faced 19-year-old when he made his first appearance on January 8 2011, with Rovers going on to win 1-0 courtesy of a Junior Hoilett goal at Ewood Park.

The midfielder played the full 90 minutes in the third round victory and has since gone on to play 172 times for the club.

But the Rovers captain maintains fond memories of that debut afternoon.

“It seems like yesterday, I still remember it really well,” Lowe said.

“Where the time has gone I really don’t know but I have good memories.

“We won, that was the most important thing, but obviously any occasion when you make your debut is nice and I think you remember it for a very long time.

“For any youngster you’ve got to go through the ranks and do what is expected and hopefully along the way you get a chance.

“I got my chance, did reasonably well in the game, and the rest just followed and here we are today.

“I’ve learned a lot thus far but I’ve still a lot to learn, I’ve fond memories from then and I’m happy where I’m at now.

“I’m enjoying my time back playing now so hopefully we can get another positive result.”

After seeing off QPR in round three, Rovers were knocked out in the fourth round by Aston Villa, with Lowe spending much of the remainder of the 2010/11 season on loan at Oldham.

Fast forward six years and he is back in the Rovers side after his two-game absence last month for picking up 10 yellow cards.

The Rovers captain was booked again in the 1-0 win over Newcastle which means he has now collected six cautions in his last seven games and is just four more away from a three-game ban.

Skipper Lowe has seen his side struggle this season and despite the win over Rafa Benitez’s Magpies on Monday – the second time they have beaten Newcastle this season – Rovers are still in the relegation zone with only six wins from 25 games .

The FA Cup provides a break from league action, however, and Lowe added: “The competition is always special and is to me as it’s the one I made my debut in. It’s a break from the league but it also helps breed confidence. Any time you win a game, whether it be in the league or in the cup, it breeds confidence throughout the squad and hopefully we can do that this weekend.

“If you ask any player, being involved in any final and playing at Wembley it would be the standout moment in your career and I’m no different.

“They are in our league so there’s nothing new there, we know what they’re about and likewise for them. We are expecting a tough game but hopefully we can go there, be on the front foot, and get a good result.”