LUCIANO Civelli is in line to make his Ipswich debut at home against Plymouth on Saturday.

Derek Davis

LUCIANO Civelli is in line to make his Ipswich debut at home against Plymouth on Saturday.

Blues assistant manager John Gorman is confident the 22-year-old Argentinian will be ready to play, once the deal is done.

Gorman said: “We are delighted he is here. Hopefully everything will soon be in order and he is in contention for Saturday. Jim and the medical staff will have a look and make a final decision but he is not too far away from playing. We won't rush him but at the same time if he is ready he will be involved.

“The scouts all know about him so it is our job now to coach him and make him part of the team.”

Civelli is due to have his medical at Portman Road today after arriving from South America on Monday and being shown around the stadium and training facilities.

Personal terms have been agreed and Ipswich hope to finalise his move from Sporting Club Banfield with an initial fee of around �1m.

It is understood there is no third party involvement in terms of his playing contract and the Blues have taken advice from the FA and Football League on every aspect of the deal.

The 6ft 1ins left-sided player was spotted by scouts Steve McCall and Simon Hunt while over in South America and Town needed to move swiftly when Greek club AEK Athens made a bid for the attacking wide man.

Civelli - pronounced Chivelli - has a brother Renato who plays for Marseilles, and has limited English but will be helped by fitness coach Simon Thadani and Spaniards Pablo Counago and Iv�n Campo to settle in at Portman Road.

Meanwhile, triallist Theo Smith from non-league Dunkirk has not been training with the first team squad and is not likely to be offered a contract, paving the way for him to join Conference North side Hucknall Town.