Andrews wants out of Blackburn

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND international Keith Andrews is desperate to get a permanent move away from Blackburn Rovers, claiming that manager Steve Kean dropped him last season because the player had fallen out of favour with the fans.

Though lifted by Irish qualification for the Euro 2012 finals, the midfielder — who is currently enjoying a spell on loan withIpswich — is facing an uncertain future at club level.

He said: “My loan is up in January and I have no desire whatsoever to go back to Blackburn. I really don’t want to go back there but I am under contract for another two years so we will have to wait and see what happens in January.”

Andrews is unhappy with how he was treated at Ewood Park last term by manager Kean.

“My face probably didn’t fit entirely when I was there for whatever reason, but when the manager is not playing you because of fans then it becomes an issue. The fans were not an issue for me because I couldn’t give two hoots what they’re saying.

“But I was told at one stage last season that I was being left out because of the fans and, really, the writing was on the wall from that.

“You would expect the manager to stand up to that. Under Sam [Allardyce] I was playing at right-back at one stage because we had a few injuries and I remember him talking to me about it and it didn’t affect him in the slightest with his team selections.”

Asked if he finds it ironic that Kean is now the focus of fan protests, Andrews says: “I am not one for holding grudges. I could have stayed there and tried to get my place or just sat on my backside and picked up my money but I wanted to go out and play and, thankfully, they allowed me to go on loan so I have no axe to grind. I just want to go out and play football and the bigger picture is I have a European Championships to look forward to.”

And having scored five goals in 14 games for Ipswich, it could be that the Portman Road club will offer the security of a new home to the 31-year-old Dubliner.

“They have indicated they would like to do something permanent and they have been very good to me,” he said. “I have enjoyed my time there. I certainly want a permanent move, but whether it is to Ipswich or not I am not too sure. But I am sure my agent will be talking to clubs to see what interest there is.”