RESERVE team chief Alan Murray believes Rovers could save themselves a fortune in the transfer market in the not-too-distant future if some of the club's Academy starlets continue to develop at their current rate.

A conveyor belt of talent from the club's Academy has been blooded in the reserves this season.

And now Murray hopes they can build on that experience by really establishing themselves at that level next season which could then provide them with a launch-pad into the first team.

"It's difficult to assess exactly how well they've done because they've been in and out of the side all season," said Murray.

"But the likes of Jerome Watt, Ciaran Donnelly, Alan Morgan and Darren Hockenhull have all done well when they have been given a chance.

"And now they've all got to show that they can push on and maintain that progress.

"It is difficult for these lads to come from playing against Under 17s and Under 18s to suddenly playing in the reserves against men.

"But they've all done reasonably well and the challenge for them now is to really establish themselves at this level."

Rovers completed their reserve league programme with a 0-0 draw against Everton on Monday night.

And, generally speaking, Murray has been happy with the way his side have performed over the course of the season.

"I think we've done okay this season on the basis that we've tried to aid the development of our young players," said Murray.

"As far as the senior players go, we've only tried to use the reserves for rehabilitation in order to try and give some of the younger players as much experience as possible.

"So on that basis, I think we've more than held our own overall."

One man, in particular, who has made a lasting impression on Murray is reserve team skipper Jonathan Douglas.

The young Irish midfielder had feared his career might be over after suffering a serious knee injury in a challenge with Everton's Danny Cadamarteri last season.

However, after nine months on the sidelines, he made his comeback in January.

And such has been the speed of his rehabilitation that Murray believes he could be ready to stake a claim for a regular first team spot next season.

"Dougie has done really well since he came back from what was a very serious injury," said Murray.

"He's done as well, if not better, than anyone could have expected and that speaks volumes for his character.

"I think he's now got the belief to go into challenges again without worrying about his injury.

"So now he needs to be pushing for a midfield place in the first team next season. I believe he's got all the pieces in the jigsaw but he's now got to put them all together."