Burton Albion begin their competitive season this weekend when they host Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the first round of the Carabao Cup at the Pirelli Stadium.
The Brewers go into the fixture on the back of a 2-1 victory over Derby County in the Bass Charity Vase the previous weekend. Manager Gary Bowyer has expressed his eagerness for competitive football to begin, saying he is not a fan of pre-season and is looking forward to the real matches.
Injury Updates
Bowyer provided an update on Burton's injury situation ahead of the cup tie. Charlie Webster is expected to return next week, while Gbemi Arubi faces a couple of months on the sidelines. Kain Adom, who returned against Solihull, is managing minor niggles after a period out. Jason Sraha has been back on the grass and completed two sessions during the week. Ciaran Gill is beginning his rehabilitation after another setback.
Despite the injury concerns, Bowyer believes the squad has an opportunity to prove themselves given the current lack of available numbers.
Blackburn's Challenge
Blackburn Rovers are in their ninth consecutive season in the Championship. Tony Mowbray's side prepared for the cup tie with a 1-1 draw away at Huddersfield Town, where former Burton player Marcus Harness opened the scoring before Jake Garrett equalised with a 25-yard volley.
This will be the first meeting between the two clubs in nearly nine years. Mowbray acknowledged that Burton, under Bowyer's management, will present a genuine challenge.
