x

Town Still to Make Move for Andrews - Ipswich Town News

Town are still to make an approach to Blackburn Rovers regarding an extension to midfielder Keith Andrews’s stay at Portman Road, despite increasing reports of Premier League interest in the Republic of Ireland international.

The 31-year-old, whose current loan spell is up on January 7th, has another 18 months on his contract at Ewood Park but is keen to move away from the Lancashire club either permanently or on another loan once his time with Town is at an end.

Blues boss Paul Jewell has said he is keen to keep Andrews at Town for the second half of the campaign but we understand Town are yet to formalise that interest.

Top flight sides Swansea and Wigan have both been strongly linked with Town’s current stand-in skipper, who has scored eight goals in 17 starts and one sub appearance since joining the Blues in August, while Championship Leeds, who targeted him in the summer, are reported to have renewed their interest.

However, without naming him specifically, Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers appears to have played down his club’s interest in Andrews, or at least the prospect of the Swans paying the fee which was reported earlier in the week: "I see the agents are doing their work at the moment and throwing out lots of names in the media. It's that funny time of year when all sorts of names come out.

"But I think people who know the way this club works know that we will not be spending £2 million on a 31-year-old, for example."

The one-time MK Dons man may ultimately move on a free transfer with Blackburn keen to remove his salary from their wage bill.

Meanwhile, one of this morning’s tabloids claims Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill has rebuffed an attempt by Town to take ex-Blue Titus Bramble on loan for the remainder of the season in January.

Bramble was suspended by the Black Cats between September and November due to his ongoing legal issues but returned to the fold under Steve Bruce and then the first team under O’Neill.

Elsewhere, on-loan striker Ronan Murray says he’s itching to make his first start for loan club Swindon having so far made only three sub appearances for the Robins, who he is with for a month: "Injuries or anything could happen and you just hope you take your chance when you get in, and hopefully I’ll do that.

"It’s about trying to get in the first 11 and getting on the pitch, because I can’t really do anything on the bench.

"It’s hard in training when you’re doing little drills as it’s not a game, so I just want to get on the pitch really.”

And finally, ex-Town keeper Shane Supple says he’s still happy with his 2009 decision to quit soccer to return to Gaelic football: "I've no regrets, even if there could have been a possibility of going over [to Euro 2012] if I had stayed with it.”

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Rosenior: I Couldn't Be Prouder of My Players
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior said he couldn’t have been prouder of his players following last night’s 3-3 draw with Town which keeps the Tigers hopes of making the play-offs alive going into their final match and wished the Blues well for the remainder of the campaign.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Highlights
Highlights of yesterday’s 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Luongo: We're Enjoying the Ride
Town midfielder Massimo Luongo says the squad are enjoying the ride of playing in high pressure games as the Blues moved a point closer to the Premier League following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
McKenna: Davis Limping Pretty Heavily
Town boss Kieran McKenna says left-back Leif Davis was limping heavily following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
McKenna: What a Wonderful Position to Be In
Town boss Kieran McKenna reflected on the wonderful position his side is in following tonight’s 3-3 draw at Hull City.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Town moved level on points with second-placed Leeds United following a pulsating 3-3 draw with Hull City at the MKM Stadium having been in front three times. Returning striker George Hirst put the Blues in front in the 19th minute but the Tigers levelled on 40 through Ozan Tufan before Omari Hutchinson put Town back ahead with the first of two brilliant goals. However, Hull equalised again through Liam Delap in the 56th minute, then Hutchinson’s second put the Blues ahead again, however, Tigers sub Noah Ohio grabbed a point for the East Yorkshire side with three minutes remaining and the Blues were unable to take late chances to win it.
Hull City 3-3 Ipswich Town - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Hull City 1-2 Ipswich Town - Half-Time
Goals from George Hirst and Omari Hutchinson have given Town a 2-1 half-time lead over Hull City at the MKM Stadium.
Hirst and Burns Start at Hull
George Hirst and Wes Burns both start for the Blues in this evening’s live-on-Sky game at Hull City.