The FAI are reportedly on the brink of signing a deal with Shamrock Rovers that would see the club's B team play in the First Division next season.

The Irish Independent reports that an agreement is likely to be signed within a week.

A similar proposal was rejected by the League of Ireland two years ago. But circumstances have seemingly changed the League's mind.

Two Galway clubs - Salthill Devon and Mervue United - will no longer be playing in the 10-team First Division next season, with newly-formed Galway FC taking one of those places.

That left one vacancy with Shamrock Rovers' second team set to take that spot as the Tallaght-based club are the only Irish club with the means of running two clubs.

Reserve teams play within the league pyramid in many European countries where the development of young players is the ultimate aim. For example in Spain and Germany, B teams appear in the lower leagues, although there are restrictions on promotion.

For example Barcelona B, who play in the second tier of Spanish football cannot be promoted to La Liga because of the senior team's presence, while Spanish B teams are not allowed to enter the Copa del Rey.

Similarly, Shamrock Rovers B will not be allowed to enter the FAI Cup or League Cup due to the risk of being drawn against the senior team.

Another point of discussion is the number of first team fringe players who will be allowed to line out for the second team on any given weekend.

UCD manager Martin Russell, who has built up a good pedigree for developing young players, is the favourite to become the new reserve team manager according to the latest rumours.

©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan