Rafa Soares lasted just over 60 minutes in his first appearance in a Fulham shirt as the U23 side were battered 4-0 by Blackburn in their PL2 tie.

The 22-year-old left back was singed on loan from Porto in the summer but has yet to make an appearance for the first team as a result of an ankle injury, which the club were aware of when they signed him.

He had returned to training with the U23 side last week and made his bow last night as Peter Grant's team lost 4-0 to Blackburn at the Lancashire FA ground.

Goals from Callum Wright, Joe Nuttall, Joe Rankin-Costello and Lewis Mansell ensured it was another defeat for the side, who have won just the once so far this season.

Meanwhile, Luca de la Torre also played an hour as he made his comeback from injury, but there was a serious injury for Isaac Pearce who was stretchered off and taken to hospital.