HUDDERSFIELD Town are willing to offer Keith Andrews the incentive of being their new club captain this season in a bid to steal a march over their rivals for the Irishman’s signature.

The Yorkshire club have released long-serving skipper Peter Clarke after five years and are in desperate need of midfield muscle.

As The Bolton News revealed on Monday, the Terriers are keen to take Andrews on loan next season but sources at the club believe they are not alone in their pursuit of the experienced Republic of Ireland international.

Brighton are thought to have maintained an interest in the 33-year-old after taking him on loan for the whole of last season, but are currently unable to proceed with a deal while they look for a manager to replace Oscar Garcia.

Other Championship clubs are also in the frame – but Huddersfield may use the skipper’s role to tempt Andrews across the Pennines, with senior figures at the club talking up their interest earlier this week.

Wanderers would be willing to do business at the right price and Andrews has also stated publically that he does not see a future for himself under Dougie Freedman next season.

Convincing Huddersfield to do business at the same level as Brighton did 10 months ago could be the hard part for the Whites.

Andrews has 12 months left to run on a lucrative contract, which was picked up almost in full by the Seagulls when he signed at the Amex Stadium last August.

He made 39 appearances for Brighton, scoring once, and helping the South Coast club into the play-off semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed that the club’s new kit, manufactured by Italian sportswear firm Macron, will be released in late June.

The club have already started replacing seats in the ground that bear the name of former sponsors Reebok, in time for the opening of the newly-named Macron Stadium with a friendly against Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem on Sunday, August 3.