West Bromwich Albion coach Keith Downing has hinted Keith Andrews is playing his way to a long-term contract.

The former Blackburn Rovers midfielder is on a deal to season's end.

"Keith hasn't really changed a great deal over the years," Downing told the WBA website.

"It frightened me a little bit when I realised the last time I saw him was in 1999/2000 - a good 12 years ago.

"And when somebody told me he was 30-plus it frightened me even more!

"As a youth coach he was my first choice as captain in his age group - that's how he is.

"He's an influential figure like Reidy, who has that ability to get around people in the correct way.

"He and Liam Ridgewell, with the seniority they have about them and the experience they have at this level, have helped the group enormously.

"They have also added a little bit of competition into the squad because we've got senior players who have had to sit out a little bit like Paul Scharner and Graham Dorrans.

"Keith is an experienced guy with good knowledge of the game, a good personality, and is a good leader."