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Wanderers’ nowhere man Keith Andrews faces an uncertain Christmas after being frozen out by his loan club Watford.
The experienced Republic of Ireland international has fallen out with Vicarage Road boss Slavisa Jokanovic and is no longer training with the club.
But indications from the Macron Stadium are that the midfielder will not make a return to the North West.
Andrews’ loan deal with the Hornets runs until the end of the season and unless another club comes in to “sub-let” the 34-year-old in January, he could be left in limbo completely.
Neil Lennon is already concerned at the number of central midfielders he inherited from Dougie Freedman and is unlikely to find a place for the former Wolves man in his squad.
Andrews is also one of the highest earners on the Wanderers books. Watford’s agreement saw them take a large percentage of his wage on board in the summer – and that could be a stumbling block for any club looking to take on the deal.
Jokanovic, who was appointed at the start of October, confirmed earlier this week the Dubliner is no longer in his first team plans.
“This is my decision,” he told The Watford Observer. “I decided to separate Keith Andrews from my team. He didn’t understand my decision, he probably didn’t understand me very well and probably had some problems when communicating with me.”
Andrews, who has been working as a pundit for Sky, expressed his disappointment whilst in the studio for Watford’s 5-0 win over Fulham last Friday.
“It has been very disappointing,” he said. “I'm on loan but I don't consider myself a loan player. I feel I've done a lot behind the scenes during the turbulent period and troubled times we have had. I'm a little bit in the dark at the minute.”
Andrews has not played for Wanderers since January 2013, spending last season on loan to Brighton and moving on to Watford in July.
He has one year remaining on his contract with Bolton but admitted last summer that he had closed the book on his time with the club.
A former Ipswich Town loanee, Andrews may have an eye on this weekend’s game at the Macron. And the Irishman has warned Wanderers that they come up against an Ipswich side in top form.
“McCarthy’s men are absolutely flying at the moment and their style of play epitomises the manager’s personality,” he said. “They are an extremely tough team to play against as they don’t give you an inch and invariably any points you get off them are very well earned.
“Last season, Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick started to form a good strike partnership and this season it’s kicking on to another level as Daryl is now the top scorer in the division with 13 goals. It’s not just their goal tallies that are impressive though, their link-up play and hard work is probably the most exciting in the division.
“The other player who has got a lot of plaudits for them this season is Tyrone Mings, the £10,000 signing from Chippenham and the only fee McCarthy has paid for any player since his arrival at Portman Road.
“He is only 21 but it’s clear to see why there are huge Premier League clubs sniffing around him and Ipswich will be hopeful of holding onto him past the January transfer window.
“He’s 6ft 3ins, physically strong, a thoroughbred athlete that chews up the turf in an effortless manner. He is very comfortable on the ball so it’s only a matter of time before we see him gracing the Premier League.”
Source
The experienced Republic of Ireland international has fallen out with Vicarage Road boss Slavisa Jokanovic and is no longer training with the club.
But indications from the Macron Stadium are that the midfielder will not make a return to the North West.
Andrews’ loan deal with the Hornets runs until the end of the season and unless another club comes in to “sub-let” the 34-year-old in January, he could be left in limbo completely.
Neil Lennon is already concerned at the number of central midfielders he inherited from Dougie Freedman and is unlikely to find a place for the former Wolves man in his squad.
Andrews is also one of the highest earners on the Wanderers books. Watford’s agreement saw them take a large percentage of his wage on board in the summer – and that could be a stumbling block for any club looking to take on the deal.
Jokanovic, who was appointed at the start of October, confirmed earlier this week the Dubliner is no longer in his first team plans.
“This is my decision,” he told The Watford Observer. “I decided to separate Keith Andrews from my team. He didn’t understand my decision, he probably didn’t understand me very well and probably had some problems when communicating with me.”
Andrews, who has been working as a pundit for Sky, expressed his disappointment whilst in the studio for Watford’s 5-0 win over Fulham last Friday.
“It has been very disappointing,” he said. “I'm on loan but I don't consider myself a loan player. I feel I've done a lot behind the scenes during the turbulent period and troubled times we have had. I'm a little bit in the dark at the minute.”
Andrews has not played for Wanderers since January 2013, spending last season on loan to Brighton and moving on to Watford in July.
He has one year remaining on his contract with Bolton but admitted last summer that he had closed the book on his time with the club.
A former Ipswich Town loanee, Andrews may have an eye on this weekend’s game at the Macron. And the Irishman has warned Wanderers that they come up against an Ipswich side in top form.
“McCarthy’s men are absolutely flying at the moment and their style of play epitomises the manager’s personality,” he said. “They are an extremely tough team to play against as they don’t give you an inch and invariably any points you get off them are very well earned.
“Last season, Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick started to form a good strike partnership and this season it’s kicking on to another level as Daryl is now the top scorer in the division with 13 goals. It’s not just their goal tallies that are impressive though, their link-up play and hard work is probably the most exciting in the division.
“The other player who has got a lot of plaudits for them this season is Tyrone Mings, the £10,000 signing from Chippenham and the only fee McCarthy has paid for any player since his arrival at Portman Road.
“He is only 21 but it’s clear to see why there are huge Premier League clubs sniffing around him and Ipswich will be hopeful of holding onto him past the January transfer window.
“He’s 6ft 3ins, physically strong, a thoroughbred athlete that chews up the turf in an effortless manner. He is very comfortable on the ball so it’s only a matter of time before we see him gracing the Premier League.”
Source
