STEVE Kean expects to remain Blackburn Rovers boss this season after resuming his managerial duties at Brockhall yesterday.

The under-fire Scot returned to work for the first time since holding two days of talks with Venky’s in India late last week – and is understood to be confident he retains the owners’ faith.

Kean returned to Rovers’ Brockhall training ground yesterday morning as manager and club sources confirmed he does not expect that to change.

Should Kean be handed the vote of confidence by club matriarch Mrs Desai, changes are expected behind the scenes, with a number of Ewood staff understood to be wanting a change in manager.

Kean also has a tough job on his hands to keep the squad together with a number of the club’s stars wanting out of Ewood Park.

It would do little to appease the increasingly frustrated Ewood Park faithful either, with large sections calling for his sacking after leading the club to Premier League relegation.

A petition with more than 4,000 names was sent to Desai before last week’s show down talks calling for his head, while fears are growing about a sharp hit in attendance figures next season.

Sources in India close to Venkys remain adamant a new role was discussed between Kean and the owners at their Pune HQ.

The Lancashire Telegraph also understands fellow co owners Venkatesh and Balaji Rao were advising Desai to dismiss Kean - with a list of potential replacements already drawn up.

But Mrs Desai retains the final say and Kean appears confident he will again be handed the vote of confidence by her.