Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean: Youth will be given a chance

EPL : Steve Kean, Blackburn Rovers v West Ham (Getty Images)

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Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has said he will continue to source players from the club’s youth set-up.

The Rovers youth team has been fairly productive in recent years and thanks to Phil Jones’ imminent move to Manchester United could be profitable for the club.

Kean told the club’s official website: “If any of the Academy lads are good enough, it doesn’t matter what their age is, they’ll be pulled up to the senior training centre and they’ll train up here with us.”

After seeing Jones, Junior Hoilett, Martin Olsson and Grant Hanley break into the first team last season, Kean has named the next set of players who will step up to the first team, midfielder Jason Lowe and striker Nick Blackman.

He continued: “People have seen the likes of Jason Lowe, he’s been out on loan at Oldham, but people saw him make his debut against Queens Park Rangers in the cup, then he made his Premier League debut away at Chelsea.

“Now he’s had his little loan spell, he’ll come back into the squad.

“Nick Blackman is another one of those who has been away. He’s had experience of the first team away first at Motherwell then at Aberdeen.

“So they are two that will come into the first team squad and I’m sure there’ll be others as well.”

Past graduates of the Rovers youth system that have gone on to success include Damien Duff and David Dunn.

After taking control of the club in late 2010, Rovers’ new owners, the Veky’s group made many bold transfer statements including potential bids for Brazillian duo Ronaldinho and Kaka although both failed to materialise.