Luke Hyam has admitted he was “pretty close” to leaving Portman Road just a few weeks ago in order to progress a career that seemed to be standing still.

Apart from a 45-minute appearance in the Carling Cup home defeat by Northampton in August, the young midfielder had been overlooked for the best part of a year after Paul Jewell’s appointment as manager.

Despite the fact that he had broken into the first team and amassed 13 senior appearances under notoriously hard-to-please previous boss, Roy Keane, he was beginning to wonder if his Ipswich career could even be over.

But suddenly the cloud of doom that had enveloped Hyam lifted and after being named in the starting line-up for the FA Cup third round trip to Hull last month he has figured consistently at senior level, taking his appearance tally to 19.

Hyam, 20, said: “I have discovered that football really is a funny old game full of ups and downs. If I was on a high getting picked regularly by Roy Keane it was a real low to be out of the picture under the new manager.

“Before the Hull game I was pretty close to going out on loan. I had a few options that I was considering but then I was back in favour and needless to say it’s been brilliant these past few weeks. I’m really enjoying my football again.

“It was hard at the start of the season and to be honest I had a bit of a horrid time of it. But there was nothing for it but to work hard in training and hope for a change of luck.

“Now the manager has shown a bit of faith in me and I would love to repay him. Not that long ago I was thinking that perhaps my future lay elsewhere but at the back of my mind I was also reminding myself ‘Don’t give up. Keep putting in the effort and you never know’.

“I knew I needed games and to play as much football as possible but when nothing materialised regarding a loan move it was just a case of staying here and waiting to see what happened.”

Hyam has seized his opportunity to the extent that he accepted Town’s recent offer of a new year-long deal that ties him to the club until June 2013.

His form has been impressive enough to keep skipper Grant Leadbitter and last season’s Player of the Year, Jimmy Bullard, in the wings — no mean achievement given his early-season status as a forgotten man.

Hyam added: “Grant and Jimmy are real quality players with bags of experience but at the moment Andy [Drury] and I are keeping them out.

“We are rivals for the same places but I still learn a lot from these guys. Just from watching them in training I am always picking up bits and pieces.

“Right now my aim is to keep my place in the team and play as many games as possible. The manager has said ‘Well done’ and encouraged me to keep working hard.”

Photos: James Ager, Action Images

Photo: Action Images

matthollandisgod added 12:14 - Feb 10 The future is bright, the future is BLUE
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Monkaz added 12:15 - Feb 10 I am glad you have stayed Luke, you are a promising player who does have a future at our club :)
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singtown added 12:19 - Feb 10 Hey Luke (skywalker) You have certainly made the right choice May the force be with you!
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whittonite added 12:31 - Feb 10 ah yes singtown ,the force is strong in this one
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Mark added 12:40 - Feb 10 It's a real boost having him back in the side. I thought he was harshly dropped by Keane and after Jewell didn't select him either and after his poor performance against Northampton I thought he was on the way out too. Well done to him for sticking in there and working hard.
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CavendishBlue added 12:53 - Feb 10 The future is Ipswich & Northgate
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irishtim added 13:11 - Feb 10 Well done Luke. You are an example to all young players. Hard work & belief in yourself has given us a new player & some good results. Well done keep it up.
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FriskinPriskin1 added 13:17 - Feb 10 always looked a fantastic player in the making under Keane. A wasted year?
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daniel9624 added 15:05 - Feb 10 I do dsometimes think that the long term benefits to a players having had a taste of first team football, then dropping down the pecking order only to come back can be positive. He now knows what it takes to get there and stay there, and seems truly grateful and a stronger character for the experiance (or lack of). And clearly this has embedded him in the hearts of the fans. Bit of the same with Drury and Smith too, actually going back over the years this is not the first player this has happened to and i'm sure won't be the last. Just glad that we hung on rather than pulling the trigger too early an losing what looks to be a truly gifted talent.

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TractorBeezer added 15:18 - Feb 10 Again, what a great attitude. We need the likes of you Luke to build our future team around. Well done.
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cooper4england added 15:33 - Feb 10 Leadquitter and Bullard are not the droids we are looking for!
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jas0999 added 16:23 - Feb 10 Quite frankly shocking management by PJ. I suppose better late then never re Hyam - but yet he still treats Carson badly - favouring his injury prone has-been players.
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footyblue added 16:54 - Feb 10 Well done and thought he was good for Keane until his Injury and has been unlucky in my eyes since but him and Drury have been a revelation thank god for the injuries so they got their chance otherwise I doubt either would have played again.
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fourth added 17:36 - Feb 10 It's a period of adjustment. Players slotting in. Jason E, player of the season not quite fitting at the moment. Some dangerous young midfielders creating chances. Jimmy not on the money. But who knows?
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stinkiusminkius added 17:58 - Feb 10 Jas0999 OUT. You're being silly again in your desperation to use the phrase "injury prone has beens". As pointed out by many on a similar thread, the alternatives to Carson on the wings have been Martin, jet, murphy - none of which fit your whinge. I do agree that if like to see more of Carson but aren't going to bang on every time pj makes a decision that is a bit different to mine. You my friend, are tedious.

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:23 - Feb 10 Do you think it is possible that an article can appear on here that Jas0999 cant turn into an anti Jewell rant???
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hairbear added 19:06 - Feb 10 @jas0999 = my hero. Don't listen to all these rose tinted glasses wearing so called fans. Mark my words PJ will "rest" poor hyam soon just to get leadboots back in.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:58 - Feb 10 hairbear - so because some of us don't turn every news story into a negative and an opportunity to slate the current manager that makes us SO CALLED fans does it? I have supported this club for over 35 years and travelled to over 70 league grounds to see them. Idiot.
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statto added 20:51 - Feb 10 With you Bobblehat on this. Real fans know perseverance, they've seen the ups, the downs and the more downs - but they have faith, some may call it blind - but they come back week after week because there can only be ONE team. The likes of Jas0999(and other 12 year olds) are just products of the new age of instant gratification, they haven't had enough of the passions and agonies that make this the beautiful game. Rev up your Tractors!!

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h32 added 21:20 - Feb 10 Shamefully rank bad management - for Hyam to have found himself having to think of moving elsewhere. And, yes hairbear - you'll very probably prove correct. Onwards and Upwards - with a Manager ( whomsoever) who believes in youngsters, not ALL gerihatricks seeking lucrative meal tickets.
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h32 added 21:35 - Feb 10 And to all the deluded's - keep your heads in the sand, if it suits you. That's why we are at the wrong end of the A140 right now - some of you are far too easily satisfied. AMBITION and SUCCESS is what it should all be about - perhaps some of you should research these words. COYB - another win tomorrow would do nicely.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 22:33 - Feb 10 h32 maybe you should research arrogant and patronising. Just a thought.
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statto added 05:46 - Feb 16 There are differing ways to success - and changing the manager every time a few results go against us is not the way. Sir Bobby needed time, Sir Alex, too. Have a bit more faith and give the incumbent a chance to get a settled team on the park. We have our deficiencies right now, but that said, there are signs of promise. No need to hit any panic buttons, onward and upward the Town.

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