Wigan Emerge as Favourites for Andrews's Signature
Friday, 20th Jan 2012 08:20

Boss Paul Jewell admits that Keith Andrews is less and less likely to rejoin the Blues with Premier League Wigan now appearing to head the race for the Blackburn midfielder’s signature. Fellow former loanee Danny Collins also looks highly unlikely to return to Portman Road with Bolton Wanderers understood to be leading the chase to sign the Wales international.

Jewell says Town owner Marcus Evans recently talked to Andrews’s representative: “Marcus spoke with his agent during the week and I keep hearing different stories - that Blackburn want a fee for him, then that Blackburn wanted him to play last week, then that he’s met with Wigan. We’re up against it a little bit there,” he conceded.

Reports elsewhere this morning claim Andrews and Wigan are in talks but with a clause relating to the Irish international's wages dropping in the event of relegation currently a sticking point.

The Blues manager says Town’s move for Leicester’s Sean St Ledger is also currently dead in the water, although that could change: “I think it all depends on someone else coming in at Leicester, that’s the way football works.

“They’re not going to let someone go because they’ve picked up an injury or they’ve got someone away at the African Nations Cup. It’s like chain. You’ll see in the transfer market, something will just trigger off a train of events.”

Perhaps notably, the Foxes have made Nottingham Forest a £500,000 offer for centre-half Wes Morgan which is currently being weighed-up.

Meanwhile, Jewell says Jason Scotland’s contract situation — an additional year at his current wages will be triggered after he has made another four league starts — won’t come into his thoughts when selecting his team: “That isn’t an issue. There’s no way I wouldn’t play Jason because of his contract.

“The only way I wouldn’t play Jason would be because of football reasons. I’ve had a chat with Jason and he’s fine with it. There’s no problem there.

“He’s done smashing. He’s worked hard, which is what you want from them all. Jason’s in good shape and is working as hard now as he has for a while.”

Jewell says Town’s other Trinidad and Tobago international was offered a new deal a year ago but chose to continue on his current terms, which are up at the end of June: “Carlos was offered one last year but he decided to see how this season went. Carlos is in the same position as a lot of the lads who are out of contract.”

Meanwhile, recently released Blues defender Ãvar Ingimarsson is set to hang up his boots, according to former team-mate Ibrahima Sonko: “I had dinner with him before he left. When he told me he was probably going to retire, I was a bit sad because you don’t want to see your team-mate and friend leaving the game, especially the way he has been.

“The last game he wanted to do so well for the team but things didn’t work out. I did ask him if he was going to play a bit longer, but I think he has had enough.”

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1

Lesta_Tractor added 08:30 - Jan 20 I like Andrews but I think hes too old/expensive.. The leicester mercury (my local paper) says that Leicester are set to sign Wes Morgan from nottm forest, possibly paving the way for St.Ledger to leave..
0

walberswick added 08:34 - Jan 20 Why did we sign them on loan, impossible to turn into permanent deals? Stop gap signings laeding to Jan transfer panic.
0

Karlosfandangal added 08:44 - Jan 20 Double edged sword really Andrews and Collins did well for us and feel we would be in real trouble if they had not played for us, However the younger players did not get a chance to play so it has not helped them get 1st team experiance feel the loan market should be used for injury cover and back up if the youngster need resting
0

brittaniaman added 08:47 - Jan 20 I never did expect them to sign for us !!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a pity Ingimarsson did not retire last year, it would have saved us thousands of pounds ??????????
0

itfc1981 added 09:16 - Jan 20 Nice clause Mr Clegg, its the young player you need to protect from walking away not the 32 year olds.
0

Moisha added 09:17 - Jan 20 We signed them on loan because the idea was we would be top 6 now, and they would sign permanently for the run in to promotion...... obviously it didn't turn out that way, so why would they want to sign for a team in a relegation fight in the Championship, when they can have a relegation fight in the Premiership!!
0

jas0999 added 09:35 - Jan 20 We won't get him. Poor results and league position will put him off. Plus IMO we should not pay over the odds for him.
0

UsualSuspect added 09:43 - Jan 20 Never rely on loans! Althougth Keith did well for us, I would prefer it if we stuck with Hyam or brought new younger talent in.
0

casanovacrow added 11:48 - Jan 20 Andrews scored a few but wasn't much of a midfield engine. Wouldn't waste that kind of money on him, Jewell is doing the right thing looking at youthful alternatives. Collins is by far the greater loss ..and I still am not convinced that we will sort it in time
0

yorksblue added 11:53 - Jan 20 We'll be playing Wigan and Bolton next season......hopefully!
0

hampstead_blue added 13:05 - Jan 20 I'm pleased Andrews didn't sign. Ok, he scored a few but was hardly a midfield general. Collins, well he lives in the posh part of Cheshire and has a new kid so is hardly going to move. He is a loss.
0