STEVEN Reid continued his bid for a first team recall this evening as he helped Blackburn Rovers reserves coast to victory at Everton.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who this week was called back into his national side’s squad for the next international double header, opened the scoring in their 3-0 win before having a hand in Junior Hoilett’s second.

A harsh 80th minute dismissal for 16-year-old debutant Jackson Ramm was the only blot on the night, although the young right back’s impressive display before that suggests he has a bright future ahead.

Reid has yet to be involved in a Premier League match since injuring his knee more than a year ago but will be hoping a recall is not far away as he continues to push hard.

Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic also demonstrated his touch and awareness playing as the lone striker, with Hoilett buzzing around just behind him, and his low shot made Hoilett’s task to score Rovers’ second goal just before the break simple.

It was Kalinic's through ball that allowed Aaron Doran to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot, after the young winger was felled by goalkeeper Adam Davies.

After a slow start, which saw Reid blast a free kick over the bar and Hoilett also shooting over from distance, Rovers started to take control.

With last week’s first team debutant Phil Jones forming a solid partnership with Gavin Gunning in the heart of the defence and 16-year-old Ramm impressing at right back, the hosts were restricted to few chances – although striker Jose Baxter did head wide unmarked from yards out.

Reid though broke the deadlock on 33 minutes when he played a neat one-two with the lively Junior Hoilett, before finishing with aplomb from the edge of the area.

Martin Olsson was left feeling rightly aggrieved a few minutes later, after being pulled down by Shane Duffy in the area after racing onto Kalinic’s through ball with no penalty given.

Kalinic though then created Rovers’ second a minute before the break to cap an impressive half from the Croatian.

He took Reid’s slide-rule pass in his stride, beat an Everton defender and then saw his low strike across goal palmed out by goalkeeper Adam Davies, only for Hoilett to tap home the rebound.

After the break, Kalinic fired wide and Jones volleyed just over the bar, before Doran sealed the win from the penalty spot.

Jake Kean, Jackson Ramm, Martin Olsson, Phil Jones, Gavin Gunning, Jason Lowe, Elrio Van Heerden, Steven Reid (Andrew Haworth 61), Nikola Kalinic, Junior Hoilett, Aaron Doran (Johnny Flynn 83) SUBS: Josh Swann, Julio Santa Cruz, Gearoid Morrissey