Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray says he has had his eye on Jarrad Branthwaite since the young defender's time at Carlisle.

The Wigton teenager joined the Ewood Park club on loan from Everton yesterday.

And Rovers boss Mowbray says the 18-year-old's impressive breakthrough at Brunton Park, which led to his transfer to the Premier League last January, had not gone unnoticed.

"He was somebody we were aware of when he was at Carlisle and he’s someone who I've watched and who I like," Mowbray said of the talented Cumbrian on Blackburn's website.

“Everton see him as a young boy who can be a big player for them somewhere down the line.

"But these youngsters need experience and need to play in a team where the manager is shouting at them and moaning.

“Jarrad’s got some experience at Carlisle, and it was a fantastic breeding ground for him to go and play in League Two and to test himself against physical strikers.

“He went to the Premier League and has played against the brains and the cuteness in that league as well.

“He can distribute the ball from the back and is very powerful. His mobility is good and he’s really smooth as well.

"The attributes he possesses suggests to me that he will help us.

"I think he’ll be fine for us, but the proof of the pudding is him forcing his way into the team and seeing how he gets on."

Branthwaite is set to be involved in Blackburn's Championship game against Stoke tomorrow.