KEITH Andrews left Blackburn Rovers with a parting shot after finally completing his six-month loan switch to Ipswich Town.

Town’s eighth summer signing hopes he’ll eventually be discussing a permanent move to Portman Road having himself pushed for this to be a 12-month loan.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder agreed to come to Ipswich two weeks ago after he was told by Rovers to go to find himself a loan club. However, progress was then made frustratingly slow after Town found it difficult to forge contact with his Premier League employers.

Asked if he thought he had a future at Ewood Park, the 30-year-old said: “If I’m honest, probably not. I haven’t been treated very well by the club.

“Blackburn told me I could go out on loan and my agent started chatting to a few clubs, but it has been a little drawn out and not as easy as we all would have liked.

“I have always conducted myself very, very well and it is refreshing to come to a football club that is so well run and where you are appreciated.

“It has hurt, I’m not going to lie. I have conducted myself well right from the second I have walked into the club to the second I left, so my conscious is clear.

“It is one of those things. Football is a horrible business at times and if your face doesn’t fit, you have to move on. Thankfully I am at a place now where my face is fitting and I hope to fit in very well.”

Rovers boss Steve Kean said: “Keith Andrews had four or five clubs chasing him, which is no surprise. He joins Ipswich on loan with a view to a permanent purchase.

“I think Keith will do very well and we wish him the best.”

Andrews added: “Both myself and Ipswich pushed for a 12-month loan, but Blackburn dug their heels in. I am sure if all things go well that will possibly be extended.

“Hopefully I will come here and it will suit all parties – the manager, the owner and myself – and I will do as well as I hope I will do. It will then be a nice conversation to have regarding anything further.”

Andrews, who played only six times for his club last season due to the fact he suffered complications following groin surgery, attracted interest from numerous Championship clubs.

They included Leeds United, however, Blues boss Paul Jewell beat counterpart Simon Grayson to yet another signing having already pipped him to David Stockdale and Lee Bowyer.

“I had talks with a few other clubs and to start with a move to Ipswich wasn’t really adding up because of the geographical situation,” said Andrews. “I could have moved to clubs a lot closer to home.

“However, after meeting Paul, seeing the set-up here and hearing of the ambition and the determination the club has to really challenge this year, it was a really easy decision.

“There are a lot of players in the Premier League that are happy just to be squad players, but I wasn’t quite content with that. I want to be a major part of something.

“I really think this is a club going places. The ambition from the manager and the owner is clear to see and I want to play some part in that.”

– To hear plenty more from Jewell’s eighth summer signing, including how he got on in his first training session, his thoughts on his best position and the man whose nickname he could well emulate, see today’s EADT and Evening Star.