Rudkin to help East Bengal

English Premier League club Leicester City's Academy Director John Rudkin arrives next week to train Indian colts and East Bengal club side as part of a three-year agreement.

Rudkin's trip is part of a twin agreement the English side signed with the All-India Football Federation and East Bengal club last month.

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The deal provides for the club's players and coaches to train at the English side, who were promoted from the first division last season and are 18th in the 20-team Premier League.

In exchange, the pact would open the doors to a wide range of footballing and commercial benefits for all parties and promote the name of Leicester City throughout the Asian subcontinent.

Besides, Leicester coaches would help train the Indian colts.

Rudkin would train the under-17 boys from March 10-12 in Kolkata, AIFF sources said. But, the training program could be extended by a few days.

However, it is still to be worked out how he can help East Bengal players, who would be busy with the National Football League matches.

East Bengal coach Subash Bhowmick is expected to hold a round of discussion with the foreign coach on March 12.

Informatively, East Bengal's traditional rival Mohun Bagan has followed suit and is in talks with a premier Japanese club side for a player-exchange, marketing and sponsorship deal. The deal could be clinched this month.