Doncaster Rovers: 'This is our biggest test' - Leicester City U21 boss Steve Beaglehole on Leasing.com Trophy tie

But he has backed his young players to rise to the challenge as they visit the Keepmoat on Wednesday night in the second round of the competition.

“I want the lads to put on a good show,” Beaglehole told the Free Press. “It’s important they take this game as a big test for them.

“We’re in the Premier League Cup, we’re in the International Cup, our Premier League fixtures are all tough with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

“But we’ve always seen this as the toughest competition because you’re playing against men and seasoned pros. There’s a difference in physicality and a difference in experience. It’s a tough challenge and it tells you a lot about your players.

“We love the competition, we’re very keen to go as far in it as we can. We’ve got a young group and we’ve only got one over age player involved tonight that is coming back from injury. They’ve done exceptionally well in the competition so far.”

Beaglehole is looking forward to bringing a side to Doncaster, where he enjoyed many happy years as coach and manager, but admits he is disappointed that his players were denied the chance to play at the King Power Stadium.

His Leicester side finished top of their group, earning a home tie in the second round, but logistical reasons prevented the game from being played at the Foxes’ usual U21 venue at Home Park. A Premier League home game for Leicester’s senior side this midweek meant the King Power was also ruled out as a venue, resulting in the switch to the Keepmoat.

“My only disappointment is that the game has had to be switched to the Keepmoat,” he said.

“From a personal point of view it’s great to be going back there but for my players, they want to play at the King Power and they want to be playing regularly there.

“We had to change the venue because we couldn’t get the King Power – there's a first team game against Watford there on the same night and we couldn’t agree another date.

“We played exceptionally well at Sunderland. They had a very strong side out at the Stadium of Light and we won 2-1.

“We finished top of the group and earned the right to have a home tie.”