Young midfielder Luke Hyam again impressed manager Roy Keane during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham and could make his Championship debut when the Blues travel to Middlesbrough for their Championship opener next weekend.

Keane says the midfield holding role is ideal for the 18-year-old ex-Northgate High School pupil: “In terms of a sitting midfielder I think Luke’s probably suited to the role better than anybody. He’s still got a lot to learn, but that will come with experience.

“It’s a big ask for a young boy to start in the Championship and do that role for us, if that’s the way we want to go next weekend, but he’s done himself no harm.

“He’s in the team on merit,” added Keane, “I always say that the players at your football club pick the team. Luke’s come back for pre-season looking very sharp.

“The role is more suited to a more experienced player, but we haven’t really got anybody who can do it and he’s been given the opportunity and like any good young player he’s taken it.”

The Blues boss says he was generally pleased with his younger players against West Ham: “The young kids came on and did well, they’ll probably get more of an opportunity on Tuesday because I can’t take too many risks. If anything I thought they looked comfortable out there.”

Overall, Keane was happy with the performance against West Ham but is clear where Town’s main weakness currently lies: “We’re a week closer to the Middlesbrough game and we got out of it exactly what I thought we would and I’m pleased, particularly that we got no new injuries after the players we’ve lost over the last couple of weeks.

“I’ve learnt that we’re a team which creates lots of chances but doesn’t score anywhere near the ratio that we should, considering the chances we’re creating, and there has to be work done.”

Midfielder Colin Healy could be back in action against Tottenham having recovered from a hamstring injury, while Lee Martin, Pablo Couñago and Jon Stead are also expected to be involved having missed out against the Hammers.

Keane says he is yet to pick next Saturday’s team with Márton Fülöp and possibly others set to come in and Owen Garvan and perhaps one or two more on the way out.

Meanwhile, former Town loanee Giovani Dos Santos, who could be in the Spurs side facing the Blues on Tuesday, is being linked with AC Milan.

Photo: Action Images

Gus added 09:32 - Aug 2 I bloody well hope Luke Hyam starts.
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FootballsMyLife added 09:37 - Aug 2 Why not, throw him in at the deep end like O'Connor and see if he can pull it off!
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Karlosfandangal added 09:37 - Aug 2 Can't see anyone coming or going this week as the tranfers of players seem to take a month to complete these contracts the players sign seem too complecated
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DanLyles added 09:37 - Aug 2 “I've learnt that we're a team which creates lots of chances but doesn't score anywhere near the ratio that we should, considering the chances we're creating" How long have us Town fans been waiting for a top Championship striker? Since Bent left!!! That's five years!!! Keane please sign Chopra. As good as he is or might prove to be I feel that we can't rely on Wickham when he's back fit. At 17 he needs a top striker along side him. Stead is obviously unwanted by Keane and I can't see Pablo chipping in with too many next season. And as for Priskin...well I hear that he has started to look more lively in games, and maybe, just maybe, if he got a goal then he might go on a run, but I can't really see this at the moment. Prove me wrong Tamas.

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bedsitfc added 09:38 - Aug 2 not seen him play yet, but all the reports have been very good. agree with keane on the need for experiance in that position but hyam has a chance of making that position his own. good luck to him
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hollywoodginge added 09:48 - Aug 2 I saw the 1st 20 mins of the 2nd half due to work commitments but in that time hyam was a stand out performer, he demanded the ball all the time and never looked scared in possesion, I honestly believe he could be like a new signing and a permanent fixture in the team and that is just based on 20 mins. Good luck young'un
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nthstd added 10:36 - Aug 2 Very capable young player. I had my doubts about RK team selection and his lack of transfer market activity, but on Saturday there were plenty of rays of hope. The lads played very well. Often when the mass subbing happens in the second half you are looking at two very different team, but not in this case. Our only weakness is in front of goal.
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blueherts added 10:44 - Aug 2 He was a standout on Saturday - a surprise to see when the line up was announced really demanded the ball and used it well It is gonna be very tough with such a paper thin squad and I just dont rate Priskin at all - yes he played afew balls through and touches but we want a striker who finishes - when we was through or had a shooting chance he hardly threatened Chopra plus a right back and a midfielder with some creativity by end August - Great to see some youngsters coming through and does bode well but we do need some experience I liked Kennedy - good distribution and dead ball and will give us experience - McCauley was strong as well and he is key again this year Bring it on

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DanLyles added 11:14 - Aug 2 I can't imagine there will be a more tenacious midfield unit than Hyam, Norris and Leadbitter in the Championship next year. Teams will find it hard to dominate us as all three are ferocious tacklers and will cover alot of ground. Civelli and Walters (should they flank them) are very hard working too. Maybe there is a concern about a lack of creativity but both Leadbitter and Norris have good long range shooting ability, and like to make runs forward: hopefully this will be translated into more goals this season. Leadbitter is also an excellent passer, while Norris managed to open up West Ham by playing in Priskin. I would like to see creative midfielder added to the squad though.

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SiBo added 12:02 - Aug 2 blueherts... RK doesn't want a Right Back... if you read what he has said recently it is.... Furlop, a midfielder to replace Garven (IF he goes) and a striker. He appears happy with the rest... which is interesting as we have just been linked with Dawson, a centre half?????
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Lightningboy added 12:39 - Aug 2 Would love nothing more than to see this kid (or any of the others) make a big impact this season but c'mon,there are people on here putting him in their starting line-ups for the season cos he's had a couple of decent pre-season matches...why can't our so called "big name" manager attract anyone to our club?
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bluepeter added 12:51 - Aug 2 I hope that he is not too good in case tottingham come in with a ten million bid!
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robdaful added 13:28 - Aug 2 There was some good signs of him at the West ham match like the nut-meg. But he seemed to give the ball away alot. As he keep kicking it in the air. I think he needs to go out on loan and get some exprience like what Tommy Smith done.
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tom_the_blue added 15:08 - Aug 2 DanLyles, very well said, I totally agree with you. My only question is, who could we buy with the creativity people think we are lacking who would want to join us? We definatly need one very good striker as priority (eg Chopra) which means that we will have less funds to sign a creative midfielder. Who could we get for cheap, or on loan, with creativity?
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colonel added 19:12 - Aug 2 Luke did well and early signs were encouraging. Will be interesting to see how he shapes up when the real action starts. Expect he'll get less time & space in the Championship but looks assured.
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Pessimistic added 00:14 - Aug 4 He seems to have what most of our players lack and that is a will to win. Play him keano or forever hold your tongue.
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