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.

Photo: Action Images

heady added 10:13 - Aug 2 would be a good signing... don't know if he would be match fit for the weekend if he was to sign though...
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NorseBlue added 10:23 - Aug 2 Jewell knows we need a CB - see last interview - been 'trying to sign a couple for 5-6 weeks now'. Midfield is not sparking - Andrews looks like a great signing. Scores goals, tough, good age and good height - 6' - Jewell knows what he's doing (Daleyitfc).
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robdaful added 10:29 - Aug 2 Intresting signing. Can't say I can remember seeing him on tv. But he plays in CDM which is a postion we need. In Jewell we trust.
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NorseBlue added 10:32 - Aug 2 And Civelli leaving (sad but never recovered) and Plymouth signing Hourihane (potential never fulfilled) Jewell is sensibly moving players on before signing others.
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BwoodBlue added 10:45 - Aug 2 Sky Sports News reporting Andrews has turned down a loan move to Leeds and is 'tipped' to join Ipswich instead. His agent is saying that 8 or 9 Championship clubs were interested and he's found the club where he felt most comfortable. If he joins us then this is a measure of how well Jewell must be selling the club to prospective signings
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Lightningboy added 10:51 - Aug 2 Not at all excited by this one..think Healy,Kennedy,Leadbitter,Hyam or Bowyer can play the defensive position when asked..what we need is a little bit more creativity going forward..what's happened to Koumas?
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ITFC1985 added 10:55 - Aug 2 we need some defenders, a centre back and a right back!!
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ipswichjon added 11:02 - Aug 2 Andrews is a box to box midfielder, good player but not a CDM we need, prefer the wages were kept gor a top quality centre back and maybe a defensively minded right back.
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StowTractorBoy added 12:40 - Aug 2 Why do people keep on about needing a right back. Edwards is just the sort of player PJ likes in that position and he has done very well in pre season. His tackling is getting better and he can track back very quickly. Andrews can also play at right back so for me a centre back with two good feet is more essential to play or cover for Ingimarsson and Delaney (Smith not up to the job sadly).

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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:25 - Aug 2 daleyitfc. You are one bad tempered misery guts. Go forth & multiply. Even your avatar looks like a bulldog licking p!@S off a nettle. PJ knows what he is doing. Stop being soooooooo negative & actually be pleased our great club is trying & succeeding in the transfer window. bet you will be there tuesday moaning to all & sundry, GIVE IT A REST.
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