STEVE Kean has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by Blackburn Rovers’ owners after penning a new deal to remain as manager until the summer of 2013.

And former caretaker Tony Parkes believes the move could boost the club’s chances of retaining some of their best players.

Kean travelled to India earlier this week to meet owners Venky’s, when it was agreed that he would stay as Rovers boss for the long term after previously being put in charge until the end of the season following the departure of Sam Allardyce.

The Scot has put pen to paper on a new two-and-a-half-year contract, saying: “The owners have shown great faith in me and I will do all I can to repay them.”

Kean will now press on with his attempts to tie some of the club’s star players down to long-term deals.

Rovers are working to agree an extended contract with Chris Samba, who was the subject of a tentative enquiry from Aston Villa at the start of the January transfer window, and are hopeful of a positive result.

Paul Robinson, Michel Salgado and Jason Roberts are also among those set for deals, with one Rovers player understood to be very close to finalising terms.

Ewood stalwart Parkes, who was Rovers’ caretaker manager on six occasions, believes Kean’s appointment as long-term boss could make a real difference in the club’s bid to retain their best players and attract new ones.

“It will bring that stability to the club,” said Parkes.

“When you’ve got someone in charge for the short term the players at the club are always wondering who will be in charge in a few months’ time, but it will end any of that unrest now.

“When you’re a short-term manager you can’t really plan but this gives Steve an opportunity to do that, and I think it will help when they are trying to sign players as well.

“As a caretaker manager it is hard to attract players.”

Having already signed Roque Santa Cruz and Jermaine Jones this month, Kean is eager to entice further new signings to Ewood Park before the closure of the transfer window.

Rovers remain interested in Seb Larsson after offering Birmingham £500,000 for the Swedish midfielder this week, although it is understood that the Midlands club are likely to hold out for £1m – the fee agreed with Newcastle recently.

The Swede is out of contract in the summer and is said to prefer a move to Ewood rather than Newcastle.

Potential targets Juan Roman Riquelme, Mauro Formica, Ruben Rochina and Victor Vazquez are also among thoses to have been discussed in recent days.

Kean’s installation as long-term boss seems to have been well received by the Rovers squad, with club captain Ryan Nelsen saying: “It’s absolutely fantastic news.

“It gives the team some stability now. I know we already kind of knew, but it’s kind of made public now who the leader of the club is.

”With Steve, and the vision of the new owners, it’s now going to be a really exciting time.

Venky’s chairman Anuradha Desai said: “We have great confidence in Steve, someone who impresses us with his work ethic, enthusiasm, positivity and football philosophy.

“We feel that the playing squad is in very safe and capable hands and we look forward to working with him.

“Stability is very important to us and this contract is further evidence of our desire to achieve such stability at the club.”

Kean added: “I am delighted to commit my future to Rovers at the start of what I see as a massively exciting new era for the club.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it with both hands.”