STEVE Kean insists Blackburn Rovers will do everything they can to keep hold of the next generation of stars after seeing the second string narrowly lose the national Premier Reserve League final.

A youthful Rovers reserves were defeated on penalties by their Chelsea counterparts in the grand final at Stamford Bridge last night, having seen off Manchester United in last week’s northern league play-off.

Argentinian playmaker Mauro Formica headed Rovers ahead on 22 minutes from Jason Lowe’s right wing cross, before Todd Kane equalised with a fierce strike on 81.

Michael Potts missed the decisive spot kick to hand Chelsea the trophy, but Kean believes their season shows there is a lot to look forward to.

Kean said: “We have seen a lot from Rochina, Formica, Jason Lowe, Grant Hanley, Josh Morris. I am singling a few out and they are the ones who have mostly been involved with the first team.

“Even for the younger ones who have come up from the academy and mixed with the lads who have had first team experience, and to play they way they have is very exciting.

“The academies are for producing your own players, like Phil Jones, Martin Olsson and Junior Hoilett. When you get to our level and play a number of games you have a value.

“The second trick is making sure you keep hold of them and that is what we intend to do.”