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Keith Andrews is not expected back at Wanderers – despite being frozen out at Watford.
Neil Lennon insists he has had no word from the experienced Republic of Ireland international or his representatives since being bombed out of training by Hornets boss Slavisa Jokanovic a week ago.
Andrews has one year remaining on his contract at Bolton and it had been suggested he would return to the North West while his future was being decided.
The message coming from Wanderers, however, is they will not entertain the idea of the loan being cut short and expect Watford to honour their agreement to fund the 34-year-old’s wages for the duration of the season.
Speaking on Thursday, Lennon admitted he was in the dark about Andrews’ situation.
“I’m not expecting him back, in fact that’s the first I’ve heard,” he told The Bolton News.
“We’ll speak to the powers that be and see what they want to do but I’ve had no contact with Keith or his agent about his situation.
“At the minute, he’s Watford’s player and we’ve had no contact from them either, so it’s as you were.”
Andrews had been a regular at Watford even after Jokanovic came in as the club’s fourth manager of the season.
The Serbian, who spent two seasons with Chelsea in his playing days, was appointed in October as the latest name in a bewildering managerial merry-go-round which had also seen Beppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia and Billy McKinlay occupy the hotseat.
Jokanovic confirmed to the Watford Observer Andrews was no longer training with the club in any capacity – which renders him in limbo until a solution can be found.
“All the decisions I make I believe are good for my team,” he said. “That is why I make my decisions, nothing else.
“It is not for personal reasons but I have not arrived here to make friends. I have arrived here to do my job and somebody pays me to do this.
“I want to help my team and I will do everything I think is good for us. It is that simple.”
Despite finding himself effectively without a club, there appears to be a lot of sympathy for Andrews’ plight among the Vicarage Road fans.
The Irishman is a popular figure on the terraces and had been a unifying presence in the dressing room during a farcical 37-day period at the start of the season when four different head coaches occupied the manager’s office.
He appeared as a studio guest of Sky Sports last Friday to watch Watford beat Fulham 5-0 and appeared unconvinced he would play for the club again.
“I’m not entirely sure [why I’ve been left out] to be honest,” he said. “Last weekend I was not picked for the squad and I haven’t really heard too much on that subject. It has been very disappointing.
“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.”
Source
Neil Lennon insists he has had no word from the experienced Republic of Ireland international or his representatives since being bombed out of training by Hornets boss Slavisa Jokanovic a week ago.
Andrews has one year remaining on his contract at Bolton and it had been suggested he would return to the North West while his future was being decided.
The message coming from Wanderers, however, is they will not entertain the idea of the loan being cut short and expect Watford to honour their agreement to fund the 34-year-old’s wages for the duration of the season.
Speaking on Thursday, Lennon admitted he was in the dark about Andrews’ situation.
“I’m not expecting him back, in fact that’s the first I’ve heard,” he told The Bolton News.
“We’ll speak to the powers that be and see what they want to do but I’ve had no contact with Keith or his agent about his situation.
“At the minute, he’s Watford’s player and we’ve had no contact from them either, so it’s as you were.”
Andrews had been a regular at Watford even after Jokanovic came in as the club’s fourth manager of the season.
The Serbian, who spent two seasons with Chelsea in his playing days, was appointed in October as the latest name in a bewildering managerial merry-go-round which had also seen Beppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia and Billy McKinlay occupy the hotseat.
Jokanovic confirmed to the Watford Observer Andrews was no longer training with the club in any capacity – which renders him in limbo until a solution can be found.
“All the decisions I make I believe are good for my team,” he said. “That is why I make my decisions, nothing else.
“It is not for personal reasons but I have not arrived here to make friends. I have arrived here to do my job and somebody pays me to do this.
“I want to help my team and I will do everything I think is good for us. It is that simple.”
Despite finding himself effectively without a club, there appears to be a lot of sympathy for Andrews’ plight among the Vicarage Road fans.
The Irishman is a popular figure on the terraces and had been a unifying presence in the dressing room during a farcical 37-day period at the start of the season when four different head coaches occupied the manager’s office.
He appeared as a studio guest of Sky Sports last Friday to watch Watford beat Fulham 5-0 and appeared unconvinced he would play for the club again.
“I’m not entirely sure [why I’ve been left out] to be honest,” he said. “Last weekend I was not picked for the squad and I haven’t really heard too much on that subject. It has been very disappointing.
“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.”
Source