KEITH Andrews has emerged as a transfer target for Championship rivals Huddersfield Town.

The Irish midfielder is penned in to return for pre-season training with the Whites in late June despite spending virtually all of the previous campaign on loan at Brighton.

Although Dougie Freedman has said the 33-year-old can fight for his place next year, it is understood both the player and the club are open to him spending the final year of his contract elsewhere if the right financial package can be agreed.

And two years after Huddersfield were beaten to the Republic of Ireland international’s signature by Wanderers, the Yorkshire club appear to be ready to have another go.

Simon Grayson attempted to take Andrews to the John Smiths Stadium in the summer of 2012 after his release at West Brom, only for Owen Coyle to win the battle and secure him on a three-year deal.

Andrews has openly admitted he would prefer to stay on at Brighton after a solid season on the south coast, where Oscar Garcia’s side reached the play-off semi-finals.

But Brighton have already recruited DR Congo international midfielder Nzuzi Toko from Swiss club Grasshoppers this summer and sources close to the club believe that whoever replaces Garcia after his resignation following defeat in the play-offs will want to strengthen elsewhere in the side.

Sources at Wanderers say there has been no bid received from Huddersfield but it appears that Andrews would be down the pecking order at the Macron Stadium next season – with Medo Kamara, Jay Spearing, Darren Pratley, Liam Trotter, Mark Davies and – if fit – Stuart Holden all senior players vying for a central berth.

While the experienced midfielder has never quite seen his Bolton career go according to plan, he is certainly rated highly around the Championship.

Andrews made 37 of his 39 appearances last season for Brighton, including both play-off games against Derby County.

He began his career at Wolves and has had spells at Hull, MK Dons, Blackburn, Ipswich and West Bromwich Albion.