Town boss Mick McCarthy says the Blues are missing the “blood and thunder” that midfielder Luke Hyam brings to his side. The 23-year-old has been out of action with a knee injury since the FA Cup replay defeat to Southampton in January.

McCarthy says he’s not sure how long the former academy scholar will remain on the sidelines: “I don’t know, as long as it takes. I haven’t got a definitive time.

“We said it was going to be six to eight weeks at the time. I don’t know how long it’s been but it’s just proved very difficult.”

Local boy Hyam, a former Northgate High School pupil, travelled by train and sat with his friends in the away end at Norwich on Sunday and fans gave a player who they hail as ‘one of our own’ a warm reception.

“When it’s going well it’s ‘He’s one of our own’. He’s great, isn’t he?” McCarthy said. “When he gives the ball away he’s a bollocks! 'Aren’t we great, you’re s–-', I don’t like that mentality.

“But he is one of their own and he is a fabulous asset to the club, Luke. I was just walking out to training with TC today and I said ‘We could do with Hymsy, couldn’t we?’.

“We could do with a bit of that blood and thunder that he adds. He’s a quiet lad but he belies all that quiet image when he plays because he’s a proper footballer and I really like him. He’s great to have around and for the run-in now. But we haven’t got him.”

The Town boss is not yet ruling Hyam out for the rest of the season and says the midfielder is frustrated by his lack of involvement.

“It’s one of them with his knee. If he gets an improvement, he could be coming to me next week saying ‘Gaffer, it might be two weeks’ and we might have him for the remainder. But it’s just proved really difficult.

“We have to take his laces off him and everything because he’s seriously down about it, I have to be honest.”

Photo: Action Images

Steve70 added 12:41 - Mar 6 Just need Bish back playing in the middle. A bit of flair needed. At Leeds Midfield of ours gor ran ragged.
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chepstowblue added 13:12 - Mar 6 Hahaha. I was wondering how long it would be before this cropped up.Luke Hyam`s absence is the reason our season is unravelling.... hahaha.Players importance seems to increase massively when they`re out for a while. Works hard when we havent got the ball but hopeless with it,we have a squad full of them. Playing a division higher than his ability. My last recollection was him playing against Derby where he watched Will Hughes play football for 95 minutes whilst doing the headless chicken routine. Bishop is the only midfielder we possess that has genuine quality to make an impact at this or a slightly higher level.

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blueherts added 14:00 - Mar 6 To compare Hyam to Will HUGHES is ridiculous - sorry chepstow - totally different players and lets be fair ability Hughes is one of the best Midfielders in the League ( although note didnt stop them losing their last two !) MM - it is more about the players we have doing their job - ie midfielders tracking back - first Norwich goal and defenders not ball watching - leeds second goal We have missed Dids far more , but until we can learn to defend better we will continue to be up against it

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wangford_blues added 14:15 - Mar 6 'Aren't we great, no we're s–-' That about sums it up MIck.
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horsehollerer added 14:44 - Mar 6 Good to see Mick calling out some of our idiot fans. He's absolutely right. I just don't understand this mentality. Stick the knife in all you like after we fail, but haven't failed! We're still up there with a great chance, and right now Town need your backing to get another run going. If you don't like supporting this club, find another one.
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blueherts added 15:17 - Mar 6 Well said Horse - Boro have two games against top sides so much more twists and turns in this league and so what if we are not 'the greatest side' to be in with a shout 10 games out for second season ( and in our hands) in so refreshing - All these people saying 'is the worst this' 'why dont we get in Warburton'!! etc etc - would you rather be playing pretty football and lying in 19th place - of course not - Get behind them all - We can def beat Brentford tomorrow - afew goals I think !

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wangford_blues added 16:04 - Mar 6 I was just walking out to training with TC today and I said ‘Who signed all these has- beens?"
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chepstowblue added 21:48 - Mar 7 @blueherts..............what i was really trying to say is that players like Hyam are ten-a-penny and when he came up against a proper footballer like Hughes he`s going to spend the afternoon chasing a shadow. I know that every side needs a workhorse but there is nothing to set him apart from your average bogstandard 1st or 2nd division player so i find it embarrassing to think that he`s being missed. Id love to have a few more footballers in the midfield as creativity is our biggest shortcoming. That aside,im immensely proud of what has been achieved so far this season and have huge admiration for MM.

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