STEVE Kean has taken the first step towards securing Junior Hoilett’s long term Blackburn Rovers future after taking a flying visit to start contract talks in Canada.

Kean met with Hoilett and his agent, who is also his dad, in Toronto on Wednesday night before returning home yesterday in time for Rovers’ return to pre-season training tomorrow.

The Rovers boss had initially planned to meet the Hoiletts in Canada but, with pre-season looming large, David Hoilett senior had resigned himself to waiting for talks until he arrived in England in the next couple of weeks.

Kean though was determined to get the ball rolling in his bid to secure one of the club’s prized asset on a bumper new deal and embarked on a 48-hour round journey to make Rovers’ case.

A number of Premier League rivals are understood to be monitoring the 21-year-old’s situation but sources close to the player insist Rovers are in pole position to land Hoilett’s signature.

With his current deal expiring at the end of this campaign, Rovers are desperate to get him signed up to a new five-year deal as soon as possible and will continue talks over the next few weeks.

Rovers jet out to Austria on Sunday for a week-long training camp and Kean wanted to meet Hoilett senior for the first time before the summer’s preparations started in earnest.

He took the opportunity to talk about the ambitions Venky’s have for the club over the next few years and tell the player and his dad that he would play a big part in taking the club forward.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands Hoilett would have been unlikely to sign a new contract midway through last season having been left frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities.

But, since Kean’s appointment as manager, he has emerged as a Premier League regular and is understood to be ready to commit to Rovers for the long term.

Hoilett told Canadian radio: “I am happy at Blackburn Rovers playing for them consistently and of course I would be prepared to sign a new contract.

“Right now I am focused on playing for Blackburn and making a name for myself in the league. The national side will come after that and I am focusing on Blackburn.

“I just kept focused, listened to family and friends and when I got my shot I had to take it. I had to work hard and capitalise on every opportunity I got. I did that and showed a consistent performance to keep myself in the side.”