PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP FOR ANDREWS

BLACKBURN boss Sam Allardyce is one of a number of managers picking up the pieces from the Republic of Ireland's controversial exit from the World Cup.

Keith Andrews was a key figure for Giovanni Trapattoni's men in Paris on Wednesday night and finished the evening in floods of tears after Thierry Henry's blatant handball led to William Gallas' equaliser that sent Ireland out 2-1 on aggregate after 120 gruelling minutes.

But Big Sam believes Rovers are more prepared than most to help the midfielder through the pain because of sports psychologist Jamil Qureshi.

"If Keith wants to seek him out, he is there," he added. "Jamil's close to the players on a regular basis and that's another string to the bow.

"He's there to talk to whether you are doing great or things are difficult.

"If Keith needs to offload - then get rid of it.

"Jamil's done it in cricket, golf and tennis - so his broad sports experience is very important to us as a staff and the players."

Allardyce is taking his side back to his old club Bolton on Sunday and Andrews is likely to feature even after his midweek exertions.

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