Chelsea allow Alex Matos to join Huddersfield Town on loan

Last summer, the Blues won the race to sign the midfielder from Norwich City on a free transfer, the expectation being that he would become a regular in the academy setup.

Instead, the 19-year-old has regularly featured in Chelsea's squads for Premier League fixtures, being selected on the substitutes' bench on 13 occasions.

However, his solitary top-flight outing came in added-on time against Fulham back in October, while the playmaker was also provided with three minutes at the end of the 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup.

Although seven appearances have been made in Premier League 2 and a further two games coming in the EFL Trophy, Chelsea are keen for Matos to earn weekly senior action for the first time in his career.

That has led to Matos being allowed to make the temporary switch to the John Smith's Stadium to link up with Huddersfield.

Manager Darren Moore told the club's official website: "With so many important games to come, improving our options in midfield early in the window was crucial as we've seen the impact that injuries can have on the way we want to play as a team.

"Alex has a fantastic pedigree, exciting career to date and huge hunger and desire to succeed right at the very highest level of the game - as his Manager, it's that mentality and application that I find most exciting about him.

"A little bit different to all of our current options, I'm keen to get working with him straight away to see how his game can compliment and enhance not only his teammates in midfield, but the side as a whole."

Matos joins the Terriers at a time when they sit in 21st position in the Championship standings, three points above the relegation zone.

Moore could hand Matos a debut as early as Sunday when Huddersfield make the daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to play Manchester City in the FA Cup third round.