Blues boss Paul Jewell says Town are still “in the mix fighting” to sign loanee midfielder Keith Andrews on a permanent basis. The Irish international’s loan spell is up after Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Hull, a game the Blackburn man will miss due to his hamstring injury.

Jewell says talks continue but with other parties also after the 31-year-old’s signature: “I spoke to Keith’s agent on Wednesday about trying to do a deal for him to come here, I think he was also meeting with a couple of Premier League teams.

“I think we’re still in the mix fighting there. We’d like to bring him in here and I think Keith would quite like to come, but when you’re up against a couple of Premier League teams it’s always difficult, but we’re in there fighting.”

The Blues boss says Andrews needs to be playing first team football if he is to cement his place in Ireland’s Euro 2012 squad, something which may be more likely at a Championship club such as Town rather than in the Premier League.

“He needs to play regularly with the European Championships coming up and he enjoyed his time here,” said Jewell. “There are a lot of pluses on our side, but obviously if a Premier League team comes in and offers him a great package he has to consider that.”

Once Andrews’s loan is up, Blackburn want him back to Ewood Park and, having appeared to be ready to wash their hands of him when they sent him out on loan to the Blues in August, are now understood to be keen to get him back involved in their first team. The player himself is less in favour of a return to the blue and white halves and wants a move away from the Lancashire club as soon as one can be organised.

For that to happen, Jewell says the clubs interested in signing him need illumination regarding the terms on which the one-time MK Dons man is available: “First and foremost he’s still a Blackburn player and he’s still contracted to them for another year [after this season].

“In a way, the ball is in Blackburn’s court because the agent keeps telling me he’s a free, then they might want some money for him. We’ll need to clarify that situation first. I know Marcus spoke to his agent at length yesterday.”

Meanwhile, the Ipswich boss has confirmed that Shane O’Connor, who joined League Two Southend on trial earlier in the week, will not be offered a new contract when his current terms are up at the end of the season.

Jewell says he watched O’Connor and recently released midfielder Jamie Griffiths in action for the Shrimpers and Colchester respectively in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday with the Roots Hall club yet to give any indication of their intentions regarding the Irish U21 international: “Whether they’re going to take him, I don’t know.

“It’s just an opportunity for the lad because I’ve told him he needs to go and play somewhere. He’s not going to be offered another contract here.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

wcoote added 08:28 - Jan 6 Don't want him.
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bedsitfc added 08:29 - Jan 6 andrews will sign, he is the other player jewell hoped to sign before brum.
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itfc1981 added 08:32 - Jan 6 Go all out on Maynard instead.
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PhilTWTD added 08:34 - Jan 6 bedsitfc Further to that, Jewell said Andrews wasn't the other player possibly coming in before Birmingham.
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Legend added 08:42 - Jan 6 The wage demands are way too high. He could end up like another Bullard. Go all out for Maynard or Sharp and spend the rest on a few up and coming youngsters!
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BlueGoonie added 08:59 - Jan 6 He'll go to Wigan, shame as goal scoring midfielders are vital in a successful team.
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Karlosfandangal added 09:04 - Jan 6 Need a Sharpe and a Maynard and let Ellington and Priskin go with Chopra on the bench. Right back and 2 centre halfs plus Andrews and a new Goalkepeer and then a good centre midfielder to go with Andrews and we are sorted. Should be easy and done by the end of the week
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SomershamBlue added 09:07 - Jan 6 Can we please just get some defenders who are prepared to tackle? Getting a bit fed up with watching opposition strikers waltz past our defense without having to worry about anyone trying to stop them.
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MrCool added 09:13 - Jan 6 Defenders - yes, there is a clue there. The idea is to stop the opposition from getting in a position where they can shoot/cross. Not to jog along next to them and watch them score. A bit of communication would help too....
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Keaneish added 09:59 - Jan 6 Someone blow the whistle on O'Connor please. Last time he wore a town short he looked a really good prospect, now, nothing what-so-ever! I'm sure 5 or 6 years ago with reserves football in full swing it was easier to keep your finger on the pulse of tge upcoming players. We're all in the dark these days.
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brogansnose added 10:22 - Jan 6 Keaneish @ totally right. We all know that O'Connor has potential but without a reserves league how is that going to happen and it must be the same all over the country. No wonder British players can't pass a ball.
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Pessimistic added 10:36 - Jan 6 We have a chance if only because he is injured at present and surely this will deter one or two clubs from persuing their lines of enquiry and look elsewhere.
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Michael11 added 10:38 - Jan 6 Ridiculous to even think nicky maynard would consider joining us when the whole bottom half of the prem and the top half of the championship want him!
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jas0999 added 11:03 - Jan 6 Good - but as I said about Bullard - just be careful what we pay him! Would not be good for moral of the other players to have just another big earner at the club - particularly on the reported 20K. Good player Andrews; but we shouldn't break the bank.
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Zico added 11:43 - Jan 6 Bring Alex Bruce back!
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planetblue_2011 added 11:59 - Jan 6 Sign Andrews straight away if his wages are affordable make him our captain. Get rid of leadbitter and give Bullard a kick up the backside and get him playing to his best again. Andrews and Bullard could be a great CM pairing, so could Sonko and St ledger at the back and so could sharp and chops up front. A good RB & keeper next we should be sorted. Leadbitter O'conner Edwards Priskin Smith Peters Must all go get them off our wage bill! I do like peters & smith but jewell doesn't, so they go else where.

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StowTractorBoy added 12:04 - Jan 6 Why would Sharp and Maynard want to come here people need to get real and realise we are a struggling Club at the moment with no hope of promotion.
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Woodbridgian added 12:36 - Jan 6 Just more spin doctoring and bull s*** from Jewell. Andrews will go to Wigan
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JayITFC added 12:39 - Jan 6 What did O'Connor do so wrong?
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dazz added 12:40 - Jan 6 I would just like to ask why is everyone on here so anti edwards.. From what I have seen this season he is one of our most reliable players and still has pace.
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Tiggs added 13:24 - Jan 6 Is he really that good? I personally don't think so. Look further down the league and you'll find better prospects long term.
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DutchTownFan added 13:59 - Jan 6 Let's just wait and see what happens to andrews, but we don't want him on massive wages, because he isn't quite as good as some think. He could indeed end up like bullard (who could still come good). Dazz, I agree. Edwards is a great player and is unlike others, committed to the club!But he's not a natural defender!!!
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alfromcol added 14:50 - Jan 6 dazz Agreed, fine going forward, but can't defend. To often on the wrong foot with forwards going past him. We need a RB who can defend and get his head to crosses. Edwards isn't tall enough, just like Jamie Peters
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RRanger added 15:02 - Jan 6 dazz I agree. Edwards has been one of our better players this season.Sure his defensive positional skill is not of the highest standard but he has pace and usually recovers when caught out by a winger.I like you cannot understand so many of the people who post on this site constantly slating him. As for Cresswell he is a good buy and a great prospect with great crossing ability but defensively he too sometimes makes mistakes and is probably shorter than Edwards and doesn't have his pace or dribbling skills yet most people on this site never ever seem to mind when he has a poor game (which like any player he does sometimes). For me the most important player for us this season is Sonko. 24 of our 27 points have been earned when he has been in the team.(For those that can't do the Maths that means 3 points when Sonko has not been fit)!

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walberswick added 17:12 - Jan 6 Serie A, my *rse.
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