Rovers step up bid to keep Jones

Blackburn manager Steve Kean is stepping up his bid to bring Jermaine Jones to Ewood Park on a permanent basis when the transfer window opens.

Kean intends to speak to Schalke in next fortnight after the United States midfielder’s successful loan spell.

He said: “If we can keep him at the club that will be fantastic. Jermaine is happy, his kids are in school. Hopefully he can see what we have done and we can get him on the books.

“We will sit down with Schalke in the next couple of weeks as he has been outstanding for us.”