Rovers head of Academy Stuart Jones says debuts for graduates Tyler Magloire and John Buckley within the last week ‘reflects well’ on the work being done at Brockhall.

The pair, who have been with Rovers since the age of nine, have been handed debuts by Tony Mowbray in the last two matches as reward for their progress at the club.

Magloire and Buckley were two of five Academy graduates on the pitch at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and Jones says that was a sense of pride for everyone involved in their development.

“It’s what we aspire to. As an Academy we’re judged on players getting in to the first team so it’s been terrific for them in the last week in terms of the debuts,” Jones told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“It reflects well on the Academy and the work that goes on.”

Crediting Mowbray, Jones added: “We have a manager who is willing to put young players in. You can get them to the front door as such, but the manager is then willing to give them opportunities which is fantastic.”

Magloire made his debut in the win over Wigan last week, with Buckley becoming the 11th Academy graduate since Mowbray took charge in February 2017 to be blooded in the senior side against the Owls on Saturday.

Magloire, a year Buckley’s senior at 20, has captained the Under-23s this season while midfielder Buckley has impressed for Damien Johnson’s side after progressing through the ranks.

Asked whether their debuts were more special, given their length of time at the club, Jones added: “Any player whatever stage they come in to the Academy we have to develop them. It’s very difficult to come right through the system from nine years of age.

“They have spent 10 years in an Academy system so to continue their development through that and progress in every age group and the demands within the Academy, it’s impressive for any player that comes through from nine to the first team.

“There’s a huge amount of work that goes on with young players and when they’re out there making their debuts for the first team it’s great for everyone involved.

“That just shows the work we’re doing down there. It’s massive being Category One, the commitment from the owners to that and the first team staff to help us with the programme to produce players.

“To have five players on the pitch on Saturday was fantastic.”

The majority of the debuts handed out by Mowbray have come in the cup competitions, but Jones says it is pleasing to see the youngsters look at home in the Championship.

A number of other Academy youngsters are knocking on the first team door and could get their opportunities before the season is out.

“It’s a massive step up in to the Championship and the boys that have gone in there have shown they can handle that,” Jones added.

“They have to do it over a period of time, but to be able to go in and produce at Championship level shows the quality we have within the Academy.”