EL-Hadji Diouf looks set to quit Blackburn Rovers this summer after Steve Kean admitted he would struggle for a start next season.

The controversial Senegalese midfielder ended the season on loan at Rangers but, with the Scottish champions unlikely to make the switch permanent, he is expected to briefly return to Ewood.

Sources close to Diouf have revealed there is interest in him from other Premier League clubs, as well as teams from abroad, and his Rovers exit now looks inevitable with him not in Kean’s plans.

Diouf’s January departure saw Martin Olsson and Junior Hoilett flourish on the flanks for Rovers, and Kean has admitted he expects the young duo to again play a key role next time around.

Brett Emerton also enjoyed a strong end to the campaign on the right wing and, with him pledging his future to the club, Diouf looks like he will be left out in the Ewood cold.

Kean said: “What has helped Martin and Junior, no disrespect to Dioufy, is the fact such an established player is not at the club anymore. When he was there and playing either left or right wing, the other guys knew they probably were not going to play.

“I took the decision to let Dioufy go and experience a new challenge at Glasgow Rangers and that then allowed both of these lads to express themselves and enjoy a run for Rovers.

“I think they have been all the better for that.

“He has got a year left and I will talk to him when he comes back. He is going to find himself a little bit further down the pecking order in terms of starting in the team.

“I don’t know if that is going to suit Dioufy. I will be honest with him. I will tell him, ‘You are not going to start ahead of Martin or Junior or Brett’. If he decides that is not going to be for him then we will see what we can sort out.”

Diouf, 30, signed for Rovers for around £1million in January 2009 and became a key member of Sam Allardyce’s squad.

He started last campaign in good form but, after the sacking of Allardyce, saw his opportunities restricted and finally moved out on loan to Rangers.

Diouf has expressed his desire to remain at Ibrox on a more permanent basis but, with the Scottish giants unlikely to pursue the midfielder, he looks set for a new challenge.