Macclesfield defender Elliott Hewitt could receive an 18th birthday present of a move into the Championship with Town later this week. The Wales U21 international turns 18 on Wednesday with the Blues and Silkmen understood to have agreed an undisclosed fee for the right-back.

Although none of the parties involved have yet confirmed the story which broke over the weekend, Hewitt has hinted on Twitter that he may have more to celebrate than he had been anticipating: “Wonder what I'll get for my 18th, will it be better than expected?”

We understand the Blues, who are believed to have begun talks with the Bodelwyddan-born full-back over the weekend, made regular trips to Moss Rose to monitor Hewitt’s progress until he picked up a hip injury which required surgery and ended his season in March.

Up to then Hewitt had made 19 starts and five sub appearances during 2011/12, having become Macclesfield’s youngest-ever player at 16 years and 342 days on the final day of the previous campaign.

Capped five times by Wales at U21 level in addition to three games for their U17s, Hewitt has previously been linked with Arsenal, Everton and Chelsea.

Meanwhile, TWTD understands the Blues are also showing interest in French-Guinean midfielder Cheick Kourouma. The 19-year-old played in Italy with Genoa CFC Primavera, Genoa’s U20 team, last season, having previously been in Spain with the Real Zaragoza youth set-up and before that French club Sochaux.

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

TractorBoy666 added 00:01 - May 28 Good news! Could be a positive first transfer move. Although probably won't play a lot of first team football for us but it isn't hard getting into our team!
0

Sindre94 added 00:06 - May 28 "TWTD understands the Blues are also showing interest in French-Guinean midfielder Cheick Kourouma" Looking abroad: Check Looking for younger players: Check Showing ambition: Check Actually signing them: not yet!! Like these signs though. And would be great if Hewitt came here
0

SitfcB added 00:15 - May 28 Sindre! Did you go to the Norway England game the other day? And don't worry about not signing players yet, only May :)
0

Garv added 00:32 - May 28 Can see us pulling this off. Ipswich Town is still a big attraction to young players in the lower leagues, despite what some of the morons on here and Twitter will tell you. Look at Cresswell, he made the decision to come here when he might have had other options, and its certainly paid off for him...in every meaning of the phrase. Would be a nice signing. Hopefully he would get some games next year, depends on just how good he is I suppose, its a big step up. Obviously almost 18 so not a complete minor.

0

Sindre94 added 00:38 - May 28 Naaah, I didnt mate. Live like 7 hours away from it, and it was such a disappointing game, from both sides to be fair.. Anyways, as you say, its early doors yet. As scowie mentioned the other day its getting harder to sign the players early, we'll just have to be patient and hope for the best. COYB
0

East_of_England added 00:54 - May 28 The Cheick Kourouma fellow sound very exciting as well! Central midfielder with talent. He sounds a bit like Cheick Kongo...which reminds me a lot of George Santos... I like it! Also I might need som sleep... Two exciting prospects in one day. I'm satisfied for now.
0

KiwiBlue2 added 02:53 - May 28 Anyone see the NZ v Honduras match .... ?
0

planetblue_2011 added 07:15 - May 28 Blimey at last we could be signing a very young defender. Plus a young midfielder what's going on! have they seen the light at last?!! A good centre back & keeper next and I will be even happier
0

KViollet added 08:35 - May 28 He'll sign. Too much paperwork involved in cancelling an agreed, undisclosed fee. It's 9.35 here in France but hell, time for some Moet!
0

Fatboy added 08:49 - May 28 I don't get the headline; can anyone enlighten me?
0

Back_The_Boss added 09:05 - May 28 Sounds like a very good, young player... the sort of players we should be signing. COYB!
0

Ridgeboy83 added 09:08 - May 28 Would be good to get this lad....him rb and cresswell lb wil be a exciting combo. Just need to sort out a keeper and a couple of cb. Keeping lookIngbto the lower leagues for hungry young Players is the way to go.
0

Langdon_Blue added 09:12 - May 28 The posts this morning are far to sensible, where are the posters saying a 'keeper should be our first priority...they crack me up! Anyway, these players sound good, let's hope something gets done this week.
0

DutchTownFan added 09:19 - May 28 Fat boy, did you actually read the first line?
0

DutchTownFan added 09:21 - May 28 But seriously, i'm starting to feel optimistic again, same last season though.... COYB!!!
0

DanLyles added 09:38 - May 28 Sounds like a promising youngster. A season pushing Carlos with a view to taking over from him the season after next? I've seen that Ryan Nelsen is avaiable on a free after being released by Spurs, yes he's 34 but he has an understanding with Smith from their international time together for New Zealand. Would still have alot to offer at this level I'm sure. Then we could get in somebody like Harry Maguire (19) from Sheffield United as an understudy? This kid is going to be a great centre back. Got in League One Team of the season at 19, his first full season, then got player of the year award at the Blades too.

0

RaymondovicBlue added 09:41 - May 28 Ward you believe it ?! Apparently there is more then one full back out there .. and hopefully this one will (a) be good enough and (b) want to come! Happy Birthday anyway!
0

rogie_dog added 09:49 - May 28 Fatboy - This should help. http://www.macclads.co.uk/
0

Fatboy added 09:54 - May 28 Cheers Rogie dog. Never heard of them!
0

bluetintedglasses added 09:58 - May 28 both young.. this is what we need! young players with an ambition to do their best and play in the premier league.
0

rogie_dog added 10:05 - May 28 Fatboy: You're probably too young. Unfortunately I'm not.
0

Bangor31 added 10:26 - May 28 @DanLyles- like the idea of a NZ pair as last time i checked they were unbeaten in the WC
0

newboy added 10:29 - May 28 Ironic better hope he does not hear how badly the youngsters get treated here or he will stay where he is
0

WorcesterBlue added 10:37 - May 28 That's a great shout Dan Lyles on both counts. Nelson is a good CB still at this level and could do a similar job to the one Malky Mackay did at Naarwich and Watford plus bringing Smith through. Doubt PJ reads this but someone get this over to him!!
0

buryblue77 added 10:43 - May 28 newboy, maybe, just maybe the youngster we have here are just not good enough? Not every young player who comes through our youth system is going to go on and become a world class player. Since the late 90's when Dyer came through you can count on one hand the amount of players we've produced who have made it in our first team or gone on to the equivalent or better. We have to accept that the ITFC has not been a conveyor belt of success like some think and that we will have to look elsewhere to bring these players in. That however doesn't mean I'm happy with the situation, I would like to see a much more productive academy and hopefully that will come. PJ obviously does like youth, Creswell and JET and hopefully if signed, Hewitt will demonstrate this too. He just likes youth that is good enough, not youngsters just for the sake of it.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls