Town boss Paul Jewell says the Blues are trying to tie up the signing of loan midfielder Keith Andrews on a permanent basis but warns it might not be an easy deal to do with the Blackburn Rovers player having another 18 months on his contract and with other clubs likely to be interested.

Jewell said: “The problem for Keith is he’s done so well and scored lots of goals for us. We’d love to keep him but he has another year to go at a Premier League club on a Premier League contract.

“It’s something we’re trying to sort out. I spoke with the owner and he’ll no doubt speak to his agent."

Premier League Wigan and Swansea have both been linked, while Leeds targeted the 31-year-old in the summer, and the Blues manager expects other sides to show an interest in January: “With him being available and with a lot of clubs in for him before he came to us, we’ll have some competition, I’m sure.

“I know Keith likes it here and we’d like to keep him. Whether we can do will be down to finances.”

Andrews’s first concern will be to play regular football during the second half of the season in order to seal his place in the Republic of Ireland side ahead of Euro 2012, which might give Championship clubs such as Town an advantage over Premier League sides.

Blackburn have said they will be looking to move the former MK Dons midfielder on when the transfer window opens with the player also keen to sever his ties with Ewood Park.

Photo: Action Images

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Photo: Action Images

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