On-loan star Keith Andrews has expressed his surprise that Ipswich are not doing more to retain his services on a permanent basis.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder has netted nine goals in 19 appearances since arriving from Blackburn in January and is set to return there after the home clash with Nottingham Forest on January 2.

Andrews, 31, has become a target for several other clubs as a result of his performances for Ipswich but manager Paul Jewell, most recently as Saturday after the home win over Derby County, has regularly insisted the club would do everything within its power to keep him at Portman Road.

Premiership clubs Aston Villa, Everton, Bolton, Swansea and Wigan have all been linked with Andrews, who confirmed his agent met with Town owner Marcus Evans and chief executive Simon Clegg on Monday.

Andrews said: “I can’t really say too much but I haven’t been given the impression by the club that they want to do anything.

“Going back a few weeks I told my agent to phone the club out of courtesy because he was speaking to other clubs on my behalf, which he was fully entitled to do.

“With me being here and enjoying it I wanted him to touch base with Ipswich but from our point of view they haven’t given us the impression that they want to do anything, so that’s where we are at the moment.”

Asked if he had discussed the possibility of joining Town on a permanent basis, Andrews replied: “No, I haven’t spoken to Paul about it at all. Maybe that is the plan in the next few weeks — I’m not too sure — but nobody has spoken to me on a personal note.

“There have been very few discussions between the senior management at the club and my agent, so I’ve nothing to report.”

Andrews confirmed that several other clubs had shown an interest, adding: “It’s a little bit hazy at the moment. Blackburn are in a bit of disarray and we don’t know what way it is going to go there.

“Who knows if there is going to be a change of manager? As it stands I’ll be going back after the Forest game and I’ll just have to wait and see how January pans out.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

righty added 20:01 - Dec 21 I cant believe these idiots who think Clegg is doing a good job He is ruining a great club we are now a laughing stock
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alfromcol added 20:14 - Dec 21 righty Any chance you could back up your statement and list who is saying ITFC 'is now a laughing stock', in addition to some of you on here??
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AlanMahon2011 added 20:18 - Dec 21 Andrews wont stay to play in league 1
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TimmyH added 20:51 - Dec 21 His goal scoring record so far speaks for itself...putting David Norris to shame, no doubt he is a class act for the Championship. Sort it out!
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PimsNumber1 added 20:54 - Dec 21 cant jewell have a 5 minute chat with andrews FFS . it sounds like they NEVER talk
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h32 added 21:12 - Dec 21 alfromcol - ' PJ and the 'rest' aren't daft ' !! - you've certainly got far more confidence in these people than I, and many others have - only time will tell, and the clocks ticking away. Severe attack of novogullibility has spread through a certain breed of supporter I often mention - yet again, it seems. Club is constantly running on if's, but's, maybe's, probable's - and has beens. NO positive direction at all from any / all of the 3 musketeers.

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h32 added 21:22 - Dec 21 harlingblue - 'but never really stamps his authority in his overall play' ?? - just a reminder that he has played well in a very poor team - what more could the guy do with what he has / had around him ??. Have you any idea how difficult it is for a good player to perform in a poor side ? - it IS not easy - but he has managed to perform well in my opinion, and score goals too.

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righty added 21:30 - Dec 21 Tell me what other club in england allows 18 players to run there contract down let Mcauley norris go for nothing yes im afraid we are a laughing stock and its down to Clegg and Evans sooner they both clear off the better for ITFC
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alfromcol added 21:52 - Dec 21 righty 18 players allowed to run down contracts. Not sure where you get 18? If you list them it is likely that most would not be required. we have missed Mac but Norris has not been missed. It wouldn't have mattered what the club had done, Norris wasn't going to stay. He had things lined up at Portsmouth as far back as last January. Players can get a good payout by letting their contracts run out and pocketing a large signing on fee. You can't force players to accept contracts!!

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bobble added 22:08 - Dec 21 swap him for clegg and leadbelly
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Jesney_Havoc added 22:11 - Dec 21 ... And I'd expect nothing less from an agent. Greed, greed, greed. Let's look in our own back yard for a change. Really bored of journeymen. This club's success has always been built on introducing the right youth at the right time.
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 22:13 - Dec 21 Ding dong merrily on high, The agents' phones are ringing: Ding dong! verily the sly The deals they are a fixing. Glory, Ipswich in excelsis!
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MattinLondon added 22:24 - Dec 21 Jas0999 Another positive comment from you. Well done
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harlingblue added 22:41 - Dec 21 In reply to H32 He hasn't played well in a poor side, he has scored goals in a poor side. I would like him to stay, but I would also like Hyam get a chance and then perhaps Bullard would be allowed to play in position that would give him the chance to score the same goals while creating something for the front runners to score?
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SomershamBlue added 22:59 - Dec 21 Ignore the waffle. Money talks.
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h32 added 23:06 - Dec 21 harlingblue - although we are all entitled to our own opinions, some absolutely amaze me - you state:- 'he hasn't played well in a poor side', but he has scored goals in a poor side' !! - 9 in fact he's scored, as you should know. That in itself means he has played well in my book - but obviously not yours. Equally that's why others are interested in him. You even mention him being Captain, and you would like him to stay . Leaves me speechless - some of you. Hyam and Andrews - cannot be compared in the same sentence. Although not taking anything away from Hyam in terms of credibility. Andrews will leave a big hole in this team.

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ClassyCranson added 00:01 - Dec 22 Too many slow overpaid ex - premiership players in the football club's midfield. Leadbitter and one from Bullard, Bowyer or Andrews need to go. I think it is the custodian and the manager rather than Clegg who sort out the player deals. The players are not picked or paid for by Clegg. I am not Clegg's biggest fan but he is here to stay.
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rosseden added 00:47 - Dec 22 People still calling for Evans to go. Lets be realistic. If he goes. We go out of business. The club has no real assets and a fickle fan base. Not really an investors dream business, especially in a global recession!
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sixtouchfootball added 01:06 - Dec 22 I wouldn't be too worried about this story. At the end of the day, he's a Blackburn player and before we can speak to the player about longer deals etc we need there permission. By all accounts Blackburns owners/heirachy tend to watch the games from abroad on a live link so christ knows how they sort deals/contracts etc...feel for steve keam because he seems to be in the job because no one else would work under the regieme he's dealing with, hence allerdyce left them. Andrews will sign. hopefully.

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blue_floyd added 01:58 - Dec 22 We should be busting a gut to try and keep him. Come on, Clegg, sort it out!
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Dissboyitfc added 07:37 - Dec 22 when we signed andrews on loan, it was agreed with a view to a permanent move, surely that in itself is permission to talk to the player?? ...........coyb
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DiamondGezzer added 08:07 - Dec 22 Didn't I read somewhere that Andrews is on twentyone grand a week, maybe that could be the stumbling block ?
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roytheboy added 08:19 - Dec 22 I appreciate business tactics etc; however the least we should do is to let him know we would very much like to keep him, he is a very powerful part of our team and in my opinion an excellent Captain, I would be extremely disappointed if we let him go and I believe the club would miss him very much, he is a top man and he actually wants to stay !!!!
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dude added 08:35 - Dec 22 Sadly may pass us by? How much dosh is he demanding now that he's currently a top scoring midfielder in the Championship? He may want $30,000 pr week for 4 years or something.
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darkroonsitfc added 08:35 - Dec 22 personally i would love to see Andrews here permanantly.......some may say he hasnt exactly set the world on fire here, but his goals are invaluble....great goal return from a midfielder, yes he's putting himself in the shop window by playing well for us, but he obviously doesnt want to stay with Blackburn, so he's going to try nad engineer a move away....but this like Mcauley and Norris, this would probably be his last contract so he will be looking for slightly more money than his worth.......Really hope the club can sort something out, as we are better with him, than we are without him..........Slightly off subject, but Leadbitter has got to go....

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