A statement on the club's website appeared ahead of the third-round clash revealing the club sought clearance before including Mutch in the squad, only to find out Football Association rules made him ineligible to play.

The statement on www.bcfc.com read: "As is usual practice for the club, we made the necessary checks with the Premier League and the Football League yesterday concerning the minimum age rule requirements for the Carling Cup Competition.

"We were informed by the Football League that for the Carling Cup, as we are a Premier League club, we are to play players in accordance with Premier League regulations.

"Therefore we were given the 'okay' in writing, by the Premier League for Jordon Mutch to play in tonight's Carling Cup competition (in accordance with Premier League rule E.21).

"However despite Premier League rule E.21 allowing the player to play at 15 years of age, it was brought to the club's attention 45 minutes ago that a new "FA" rule is in place as of this season whereby a player must be 16 to play in Open Age football (in accordance with child protection issues).

"Therefore as "FA" rules always supersede League rules, we have now been informed that Jordon Mutch will unfortunately be unable to play in our Carling Cup fixture at Blackburn this evening.

"The Premier League have subsequently contacted the club to apologise for this and for the incorrect information provided by them.

"Young professional David Howland is now travelling up to Blackburn in order to take his place on the substitutes bench for this evening's game."