Albion travel to Kingsmeadow to face League One side AFC Wimbledon tonight, and Rusk says it will be a brilliant opportunity for his young team to prove themselves against established senior opposition.
He said, “It’s a game we’re really looking forward to, and we’ve gained a great deal out of this competition in the past three seasons.
“It will be a very hard match. I’ve watched Wimbledon and they’re a very organised and committed team.
“We’ll have to deal with their element of physicality, and it’s a game where we’ll have to be near our best to get something.
“The international break means that there are going to be some players which won’t be available, and we’ve had a lot go out on some very positive loan moves. That’s the nature of under-23 football, and it’s up to the players on the night to see it as a great opportunity to shine.”
The under-23 coach also looked ahead to the other two group games against Southend United and Leyton Orient, and says it is up to his players to be switched on tactically.
“These are all very good games and the geography fell nicely for us. We know each match is going to provide us with a slightly different challenge.
“Our players need to be adaptable, and by the same token we want to bring our principles in terms of what we want to technically deliver with the ball. All three games will provide us with a stern test.”
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Rusk believes that games in the Leasing.com Trophy pose very different challenges to the ones in Premier League 2, but commented on the many merits of both competitions.
“The PL2 is technical and tactical, but they’re very good games. The competition gives a lot of people chances to stay in the game and then move on to have senior careers in the game.
“Under-23 football serves a great purpose from that point of view and this competition provides more of a physical element, which the players have to get used to. The senior players taking part also adds a greater intensity to these games.
“We’re now all looking forward to the task that lies ahead.”