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.

Photo: Action Images

bejaysus added 22:48 - Aug 11 Good luck Grant, never really delivered fully in a Town shirt, a good move for both teams as long as the fee is right.
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dynamicduo added 22:48 - Aug 11 great captain he was
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Tillz9 added 22:49 - Aug 11 Hope we get a half decent fee for him. Think Andrews will be able to fill the gap he leaves. Was hoping to get more out of Leadbitter this year, obviously not to be
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GTRKing added 22:49 - Aug 11 Keep Ledbitter don't wanna loose players now we need a new CM If he goes wot about Bullard
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tractorblue99 added 22:50 - Aug 11 So it was Leadbitter who the bid was for. Andrews is a good signing but not sure about taking him permenantly.
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bluelady added 22:51 - Aug 11 Hmm I thought he was starting to look better and pushing forward, Andrews is defensive, where is the creativity?
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nickforeveritfc added 22:51 - Aug 11 Sad to see leadbutter move on but as someone said he didn't show his full potential in a town shirt :( bring on the Andrews!!
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nickforeveritfc added 22:51 - Aug 11 Sad to see leadbutter move on but as someone said he didn't show his full potential in a town shirt :( bring on the Andrews!!
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CGH added 22:52 - Aug 11 Not a great loss really, after a superb first season Leadbitter lost his spark. Joining Norris at Pompey could mean he rediscovers his promise.
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jert16 added 22:52 - Aug 11 gutted if this is true..
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nickforeveritfc added 22:53 - Aug 11 *leadbitter* soz typo hahaha
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arc added 22:53 - Aug 11 PORTSMOUTH???!?? HaHaHaHaHa...
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dynamicduo added 22:53 - Aug 11 @GTRking can you not read, PJ said that it's impossible to get bullard because he's was on too high wages.
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GTRKing added 22:53 - Aug 11 Hope we decline off & keep him lol andrews need to see him play if good then sign him up.
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We_hate_Norwich added 22:54 - Aug 11 Mmmmmmmmm
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GTRKing added 22:55 - Aug 11 Yess but he has left bull now but I agree with u when he was at hull
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Sindre94 added 22:55 - Aug 11 shock! good luck Grant
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leroy2488 added 22:59 - Aug 11 Excellent........ All you have to do to get rid of someone at Portman Road is give them the dreaded captains armband, who is next? lol!!!!!
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dynamicduo added 23:01 - Aug 11 @leroy2488 give priskin the armband
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martleshamitfc added 23:02 - Aug 11 Not a shock at all? as i stated last night if Andrews is to come in then one would have to go out and Leadbitter was the obvious choice. Good player but never really fulfilled his potential. Just hope we get a centre back before Saturday. Believe we now have a better midfield than last year (maybe Bullard would improve it but not going to happen) so here's for another great result on Saturday then to put the Saints back in their place (alot of noise coming from the south coast that they are going to do a norwich!!)

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robdaful added 23:02 - Aug 11 How much for Leadbitter? Not sad to see him go for the right price.
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RetroBlue added 23:03 - Aug 11 JIMMY HAS to be coming back to Town now - HAS to be !!!
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JimmyJazz added 23:04 - Aug 11 Leadbitter and Norris are so incompatible
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rosseden added 23:05 - Aug 11 who are we going to have to kick all the set peices into the first man now Grant has gone??!!!! I think we'll see this formation before too long...... GK RB CD CD LB Holding RM LM Creative JET Chopra
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Blueboy added 23:05 - Aug 11 good luck Grant, not been a good signing like most of Roys purchases!! Would love to see a creative midfielder come in but obviously not going to happen!
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