MATT Jansen reckons Blackburn Rovers will be ready "right from the off" next season in the race for a Premiership return at the second attempt.

And the former England under 21 striker, this afternoon due back at Selhurst Park to face his old Crystal Palace team-mates in the final away match, says Rovers will be glad to see the back of the current campaign. Jansen also believes that Rovers, everyone's pre-season favourites for promotion, were initially taken aback by the rigours of First Division football.

"We thought it would be an easy return to the Premiership so it came as a shock when the early results didn't go our way. It was more difficult than everyone had anticipated, but next season we will be more prepared."

A £4.5m capture during the ill-fated reign of Brian Kidd, 22-year-old Jansen has been in and around the first team scene since Graeme Souness took charge, but he appreciates that he still has plenty to prove.

"That goes for every player, but all you can do is work hard, keep playing and focussed and hope that the manager will see you as part of his plans.

"Graeme Souness is a strong character and whatever he says goes really, but working with him has been good. He keeps things at a high tempo and has got good results.

"The manager has made it clear that he is having a close look at everybody and we are all doing our best.

"He will want to bring in a few new faces.

"That is obvious and to be expected. "But as for players leaving I suppose it depends who he wants to get rid of and if there are any buyers for those players.

"I don't think it will be anything overly dramatic, though. People seem to be expecting everyone to be thrown out and the boss to start from scratch.

"As players, we have spoken among ourselves about it and everyone is keen to stay, but at the end of the day it is about who the manager feels is right for the club.

Meanwhile, Souness is getting set for a hectic summer. "I am never off the telephone or trying to check out players, both in this country and abroad.

"We will be pursuing several options but we won't make the mistake of rushing in. We will check and re-check and then assess whether to make moves.

"We owe it to our fans, who have stayed behind the club so magnificently, to make sure that we give them a lot more to cheer about next season.

"This is a 24 hour a day job and while I may try and sneak a week on holiday with my family, I will never be more than a phone call away."