Andrews Signing Sets Up Leadbitter Exit to Pompey - Ipswich Town News
Blackburn Rovers midfielder Keith Andrews will complete his loan move to Town tomorrow in time to make his debut against his former club Hull City on Saturday. TWTD understands that the 30-year-old Irishman’s recruitment is set to trigger skipper Grant Leadbitter’s departure to Portsmouth.
Andrews trained with the Blues today after Rovers granted permission, with the outstanding paperwork due to be finalised in the morning.
Town have been trying to conclude Andrews’s signing on an initial six-month loan for more than a week with Blackburn having been uncommunicative in the days prior to last week’s opening game of the season at Bristol City.
Rovers manager Steve Kean says Andrews’s move to Portman Road could ultimately become a permanent switch: "Keith will go on a loan basis to Ipswich start to with, it is a loan with a view to purchasing him. I think Keith will do well, they've obviously had a very good start.”
We understand the addition of a further central midfielder will see Grant Leadbitter move on to Portsmouth.
The 25-year-old was linked with Birmingham City earlier in the summer but that deal fell through after the change of manager at St Andrew’s.
The former England U21 international, who was mentioned in connection with a possible £2 million move to Wigan in January when he was also linked with West Ham and Wolves, is now set to be reunited with his former Blues team-mate David Norris at Fratton Park.
Leadbitter joined Town from Sunderland for £2.6 million in September 2009 with his contract up next June.
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