JOE Royle last night explained his reasons for letting 22-year-old midfielder Jimmy Juan (above) return to his parent club Monaco.Juan has played his last game for Ipswich Town and will not feature in Sunday's final match of the Championship season at Plymouth.

JOE Royle last night explained his reasons for letting 22-year-old midfielder Jimmy Juan (above) return to his parent club Monaco.

Juan has played his last game for Ipswich Town and will not feature in Sunday's final match of the Championship season at Plymouth. The player, who has been on loan at Portman Road for 18 months, has one more year on his contract with Monaco to run.

Blues fans will see the decision as a blow to hopes of a successful 2006/07, but Royle explained:

“Jimmy did well when he came into the side and up until the time he was injured.

“But he did not kick-on in the latter part of the season. He has potential, and with a better financial situation at the club we could have given him another year to see how his potential unfolded.

“But our need is next season, and I want players who have already proved themselves at Championship level.

“We already have bags of potential at the club with our own players. We have competition in midfield, and there is the possibility of bringing in a new player during the summer.

“We wish Jimmy well and I thank him for his contribution.”

Juan joined Ipswich initially on trial at the end of 2004. This became a six-month loan, with an extra year eventually added.

The player, who came on as a substitute for Monaco in a Champions' League game against Liverpool when he was still a teenager, made his senior Town debut on the opening day of this season against Cardiff City.

Juan made 34 appearances for Town and scored five goals. He expressed a desire to turn his move to Ipswich into a permanent one, but was well aware that his parent club would always have a say in his future.

“Jimmy will not feature on Sunday - I want to look at players with next season in mind,” added Royle.