ROVERS boss Sam Allardyce has paid tribute to the club's Under-18s who were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup at the semi-final stage by Chelsea on Monday night.

After losing the first leg 1-0 at Ewood Park, the Academy side suffered a 4-0 defeat in the return leg at Stamford Bridge, but Big Sam believes the players can be very proud of their efforts.

"It's been a great run for them and I think they've gained a lot of experience through it," he said.

"It was a shame, particularly at home, the way they conceded the goal, but it's been a fantastic run and they'll remember it for the rest of their lives."

Sam also echoed Academy team manager Gary Bowyer's thoughts, saying he hopes the current crop of Under-18s are able to follow in the footsteps of Phil Jones and the other youngsters who have progressed through the ranks.

"There's Phil and we've got Junior (Hoilett) as well," added the manager.

"I know Junior's been away in Germany for a couple of seasons because of the system we have here wasn't allowing him to play in this country, but he has been with the club since he was 12.

"So, he has come a long way with the club and finally signed on last month and played with the first team on a regular basis this year. Phil is another protégé of that and I think you could just about count Martin Olsson, who came here when he was 17.

"So that's a big thing for a club like ours to have so many young players playing in the first team and it bears us in good stead for the future, that these lads can be the future of Blackburn Rovers for a long time hopefully."