Some of Town's promising youngsters may spend time with Champions League side Monaco as part of a new exchange arrangement between the two clubs. Midfielder Jimmy Juan's trial with the Blues is the first result of the new tie-up.

Academy director Bryan Klug spent time in Monaco last week and boss Joe Royle expects more Town trips to the principality in the future: "Some of our youngsters could be spending time with Monaco in due course."

The Town Academy have organised similar arrangements with a number of other clubs in recent years, including Dutch side Heerenveen, Swedes Giffarna Sundsvall, Norwegians Odd Grenland and Icelanders Throttur.

Monegasque Juan will not be allowed to play in any games during his trial spell which starts on Thursday. If the 21-year-old central midfielder does well then he could spend the rest of the season on loan at Portman Road.

Town's other trialist, out-of-contract 21-year-old Paraguayan central defender Angel Martinez, could be allowed to play in reserve matches during his spell at Town, although this has not been confirmed.

His trial also begins on Thursday when the Blues return to training, having had a short rest after the hectic Christmas period.

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