IPSWICH Town chief executive Derek Bowden last night revealed that Jimmy Juan's Ipswich Town future hangs in the balance after his mother club Monaco rekindled their interest in him.

By Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town chief executive Derek Bowden last night revealed that Jimmy Juan's Ipswich Town future hangs in the balance after his mother club Monaco rekindled their interest in him.

The on-loan French midfielder, who has bagged five goals for Town this season, is keen to stay at Portman Road but the French side are considering whether to sell him to the Blues or take him back at the end of the season where he would honour the remaining year of his contract.

Monaco had intended sending a representative to run the rule over him at Crystal Palace on Saturday but the 22-year-old aggravated a groin problem at Preston on Tuesday night while taking a corner, and is likely to miss the trip to Selhurst Park.

Bowden said last night: “We very much want Jimmy Juan to stay with us when his loan spell expires as he has done very well.

“But Monaco are assessing the situation and had intended to tell us after they saw him play again what they wanted to do.

“They were going to watch him at Crystal Palace but that looks unlikely so we will have to wait until he plays again before they decide.

“Monaco may want to keep him for another year or they may look to sell him.

“Nothing will happen until the summer so at the moment he is not going back to Monaco but nor is he staying at Ipswich for definite.”

Free-kick specialist Juan initially joined on loan at the back end of last season but didn't break into the side until a substitute appearance against Cardiff City on the first day of the season and then made his first start against Yeovil in the League Cup, also in August.