Midfielder Luke Hyam has taken it upon himself to remind his Town team-mates of the importance of the East Anglian derby. Hyam, 22, is the only Ipswich-born player in manager Mick McCarthy’s senior squad and will be fulfilling a lifelong dream if he is in the starting line-up facing Norwich at Portman Road on Saturday.

The former Northgate High School pupil, who is fast approaching a century of first team appearances, said: “I have always been an Ipswich fan. I had the replica shirts, especially when I was at primary school, and I went to as many games as I possibly could.

“I suppose this game has more importance to me than the rest of the lads but they are slowly coming to terms with how big a game it is. I’ve been telling them on a regular basis.

“I don’t think they realise what the rivalry is like between the two clubs. They see Norwich as being an hour and a half away and don’t really understand. I’ve done my best to explain it to them and told them it is probably one of the biggest derbies in England.”

Hyam, who has so far featured 96 times at first team level since Roy Keane gave him his debut at Middlesbrough in the opening game of the 2010/11 campaign, has been waiting patiently for the derby clash to come round.

He added: “It has always been my ambition to play for Ipswich and in particular against Norwich. That’s the one thing I have always said from an early age that I would love to do. It will mean a hell of a lot, to be honest.

“I’ve been in the first team squad for about four years now and I’ve yet to play in an East Anglian derby. As far as I’m concerned I’ve waited long enough and I can’t wait for it to get started — if I’m picked.

"When I saw the fixture list I put out a tweet saying ‘Bring on Norwich!’ and I had quite a few bites from some of their fans.”

Hyam admits he will be more nervous than ever as the big kick-off approaches but added: “The older you get the better you deal with that sort of thing and hopefully on the day I’ll be fine and it won’t affect me. The atmosphere will be incredible and I’m really looking forward to it."

Photo: Action Images

KuqiCoup added 06:15 - Aug 22 Luke, Please put in the sort of performance every one of us would put in if we were in your situation with your ability. In a derby the one thing we want to see is passion. I grew up dreaming if the same thing so best wishes, get stuck in, give it everything and make sure at the final whistle Portman Road is absolutely rocking. COYB.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 06:40 - Aug 22 Now is the time to make yourself a hero Luke. You've come a long way in the past few seasons, and this year you need to step up and be our main midfield man.
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DiamondGezzer added 06:55 - Aug 22 Don't let the ' getting stuck in ' get the better of your game so that you get yourself sent off, turn your passion into goals and give your ' knockers ' something to think about.
4

Greektractor added 07:02 - Aug 22 He's one of our own, he's one of our owwwwwwwwn!
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trumpy added 07:04 - Aug 22 I had a dream the other night 3-1 to Town,worth a couple of quid?
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JCBLUE added 07:12 - Aug 22 Use the force Luke .......
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Tufty added 07:29 - Aug 22 The first game i saw was the east anglian derby at the age of seven. that was 50 years ago. Made me an Ipswich fan despite being born in Birmingham and having lived in Derbyshire for most of my life. will make the pilgrimage to Portman road on Saturday from Matlock as i do every home game. don't underestimate the power of the derby game. PRIDE PASSION BLOOD and GUTS nothing else will do cone saturday

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BondiBlue added 07:44 - Aug 22 Luke - they will read this and do their utmost to wind you up. You've made yourself a target, but good on you for putting yourself out there to be shot at. Just don't get sent off or you'll be letting everyone down. Good luck!
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Flewitt85 added 08:33 - Aug 22 Tufty=RESPECT Got to beat the scum tomorrow!
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76blue added 09:11 - Aug 22 Luke get stuck in and do it for us. Make sure the other lads know the importance of the game and our fully pumped up and ready! It's about time we got one over the canaries big time #COYB
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bedsitfc added 09:11 - Aug 22 Gerks Chambers berra Smith mings Tabb hymm Anderson Macg Murphy sammon
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Tufty added 09:13 - Aug 22 Cheers Flewitt85 COYB
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Harlowtractorboy added 09:13 - Aug 22 Good luck to the blues tomorrow. Got to win at all costs .
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Luka added 09:50 - Aug 22 Tufty - nice one to make that trip every fortnight, proper fan! My first derby, this, right behind the Sir Alf Ramsey goal end, so I can really rub it in to the 6-fingered army when we win it last minute
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kesgrave_bluey added 10:00 - Aug 22 its a bit much asking the youngster to carry such a weak midfield so we didn't need green we could get someone better oh but where are they are we being strung along can't wait for the end of the transfer window shopping spee Eeyore Eeyore
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TractorBoy666 added 10:07 - Aug 22 This will be my second derby, the first being when I was quite young (before the 5-1) so I'm really looking forward to what hopefully will be a great memorable day! Great passion from Hyam, I'd also expect Chambers to be really up for it with the passion he shows in other games, and Mings with his tweets not so long ago and lastly Tommy Smith so I think we are near enough there in terms of being up for the game! COYB

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runningout added 10:17 - Aug 23 Time for smart heads......
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