KEITH ANDREWS’ LOAN stint with Championship club Watford is set to come to a premature end as the Republic of Ireland international has fallen out of favour with manager Slavisa Jokanovic.
The 34-year-old moved to Vicarage Road on a season-long loan during the summer but was told he couldn’t train with the first team before being left out of the squad for the Hornets’ last two fixtures.
Andrews appeared on Sky Sports last week as a pundit during their coverage of Watford’s clash with Fulham and revealed he has been left in the dark over his omission.
“I’m not entirely sure [why I’ve been left out] to be honest. 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,” 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.”
Jokanovic has since revealed his decision to overlook Andrews – who is seen as a senior figure within the squad – was down to Football League regulations. A club is only permitted five loan players in their 18-man squad and the arrival of Adlene Guedioura from Crystal Palace has seen Andrews deemed surplus to requirements.
“This is my decision. I decided to separate Keith Andrews from my team,” the Watford manager said ahead of their game with Wigan tomorrow. “He didn’t understand my decision, he probably didn’t understand me very well and probably had some problems when communicating with me.”
Jokanovic took over in October after Oscar Garcia stepped down after just a couple of games in charge.
Several outlets are reporting Andrews’ parent club Bolton Wanderers – now managed by Neil Lennon – aren’t interesting in taking the player back after he failed to make an impression at the Macron Stadium.
His contract at Bolton expires in the summer. The situation leaves Andrews in a state of limbo but with the January transfer window on the horizon, he’ll be hopeful of securing a new club.
Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers have agreed a fee with Galway United for the transfer of Ryan Manning.
The Daily Mail are reporting that the Premier League club are currently in talks with the 18-year-old, who can play in midfield or as a striker.
He scored four league goals for Galway last season as Tommy Dunne’s side earned promotion back to the Airtricity League Premier Division.
If he moves to Loftus Road, he’ll become the second Irish under-age international to do so this week after Mulraney joined up with the R’s Elite Development Squad having previously been on the books at Nottingham Forest.
