Kean ready to lead Rovers return

Steve Kean is adamant that he won't walk away from relegated Blackburn while he is convinced they can 'bounce back up straight away'.

The Rovers boss watched as his side dropped out of the Premier League with a whimper after 11 seasons in the top flight following a 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Wigan at a rain-swept Ewood Park on Monday evening. Kean, who has faced criticism and protests from fans throughout the course of a turbulent campaign, was again singled out in the absence of the club's owners Venky's for the massive game. But, despite Antolin Alcaraz's late header sealing Rovers' fate, Kean is still determined to stay on board and he is confident of leading the club back up from the Championship at the first attempt next season. He said: "I am not going to walk away. We're devastated but we'll live to fight another day. "I will sit down with the owners and discuss a plan on how to assemble a squad to help us bounce back up straight away. "We need to try to keep the majority of the squad together and add one or two experienced players that can help us. "I am a big believer in my own ability and a big believer in the guys I have got in the dressing room. "I have spoken to each and every one of them and they are devastated but I can't fault their commitment. "I am convinced we can go on and build a side that can move us forward again - but this is a massive setback." Despite the lacklustre display Kean felt his players did all they could to win the game and pointed to a good penalty shout in the second half when Junior Hoilett was fouled in the area by Emmerson Boyce. Kean added: "The players are numb because we felt as though we did a very good job. "Certainly in the second half we made enough chances, and we had a very good shout for a pen with Junior Hoilett."