Boss Joe Royle has decided against trying to sign on-loan midfielder Jimmy Juan on a permanent basis. Juan has been with the Blues since January 2005 with the Town manager previously stating that he would try to sign the Monaco man over the summer.

Royle told the club site: "It's been a hard decision but we've decided not to continue our interest in Jimmy coming in.

"At his best, he did very well for us. Not at his best he was promising, but not yet ready for a regular place in the team and that's what made up my mind.

"We need now. We don't need tomorrow. We have lots of tomorrow. We have a very exciting academy and lots of exciting young players who we hope will be tomorrow but what we need now is the battle-hardened player. Probably someone who scores a few goals from midfield and will take us on to the next level."

Juan, understood to be keen on remaining with the Blues, is set for talks with Monaco regarding his future.

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