Town are being linked with a season-long loan move for Blackburn Rovers midfielder Keith Andrews. The Blues, Leeds, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest are reportedly amongst a number of Championship clubs believed to be chasing the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international.
Defensive midfielder Andrews began his career with Wolves, moving on loan to Oxford United, Stoke and Walsall before making a permanent switch to Hull City in 2005 when his contract at Molineux ran out.
After a just over a year with the Tigers, the Dubliner moved on to the MK Dons where he made his name playing under Paul Ince, the former England international taking him into the Premier League during his short spell in charge at Ewood Park for £1.3 million in the summer of 2008. The first of the 6ft tall midfielder’s 20 Irish caps - plus two goals - followed soon after.
Last season Andrews, who missed the final game of Blackburn’s Far East tour with a groin injury on Saturday, made only three starts and three sub appearances for Rovers and he has been tipped to move on this summer, despite having a contract which takes him up to 2013.
Lancastrian reports earlier in the week claimed Andrews would move on this week with the Blues now reported to be the favourites for his signature, albeit on a loan basis.
Blues boss Paul Jewell has made no secret of his desire to add a defensive midfielder to his squad, having targeted Nottingham Forest’s Guy Moussi in recent weeks and with veteran former Middlesbrough man George Boateng having spent time training at the club. The Dutchman eventually joined Moussi at the City Ground with the Frenchman signing a new contract.