Blues boss Paul Jewell says he has been impressed with the way Tottenham loanee Massimo Luongo, who is at Portman Road for the season, and Luke Hyam have combined in recent games. The duo have taken up the central midfield roles behind Lee Martin since the former Manchester United man returned to action after a thigh injury.

Speaking after the 2-1 victory over Colchester on Wednesday, Jewell said: “They did well. Luke and Massimo have been exceptional in the last two games and at the moment I’m very happy with those two.

“But we want competition for places and that’s one area where we’ll be looking to improve the squad.”

Andy Drury has been unavailable for the last two matches due to a calf injury picked up at Southend, while Jimmy Bullard’s Town exit is expected to be confirmed today.

Young Frenchman Cheick Kourouma’s move to the Blues is still to be formalised with the club still working through red tape relating to his former clubs.

Photo: Action Images

dirtyboy added 09:00 - Aug 10 Early days of course, but can't believe the people who were slating the signing of Luongo on a season deal. Who wouldn't want a better player in their team. I'm looking forward to this season.
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saffronblue added 09:11 - Aug 10 Good that Hyam and Luongo are playing together, many on here thought Hyam wouldn't get a game.
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bedsitfc added 09:12 - Aug 10 its not a case of not wanting quality in our team i wasn't over excited about it because as we know you can get loan players in that dont really care as they know they can just go back to their club if the going gets tough, but i am pleased we have massimo as he is real quality i see him at cambridge and he was by far the stand out performer.
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daniel9624 added 09:27 - Aug 10 Really pleased with this comment, these two with Drury rotating in when they need a break, and kourouma waiting in the wings, not sure we need another CM really. Would more interested in us moving for a left winger and a striker, plus another CB, all much more urgently required IMO.
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MaySixth added 09:31 - Aug 10 They give us energy - Loungo can keep and pass the ball better than Hyam - but the early signs are of Holland/Magilton. Hyam wins it, Loungo passes it.
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B91 added 09:33 - Aug 10 I don't think anyone slated the signing, it just wasn't the "mouth watering" one we had been led to believe by the ES editor.
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daniel9624 added 09:41 - Aug 10 Sorry to disagree, but alot of people slated the signing. Mainly the usual suspects on here, but it was not met with approval. Most disappointingly most of the disparaging comments made, were done so BEFORE anyone had seen him play. Not the way ITFC fans usually go about things and one of the real negative things of the modern era of ITFC fan. That said for every Bluey123 or Jas999, there is a Sindre so there is always hope!

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irishtim added 09:44 - Aug 10 Cmon the lads. Keep it going for the season.
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DanLyles added 09:50 - Aug 10 I like this combination. As MaySixth said it is reminiscent of Holland/Magilton. Both players work hard, can tackle, Luongo is an excellent passer. The defence should get far more help this season if PJ perseveres with this formation and personnel. Neither will score too many goals but with the likes of Chopra, Martin, JET and another signing (fingers crossed) this shouldn't be a problem. With Jimmy going and red tape not guaranteeing Cheick's permanentarrival then we are left with just Drury as back up in that area. I would bring in Papa Bouba Diop on a free just to add strength in depth for a season. He's 6"5, bags of experience and hammers fans say he was brilliant for them in the holding role until February when he got injured. He would pretty useful at set pieces

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DanLyles added 09:56 - Aug 10 ps. I don't rate Stevenson (and think his best position would be in the Martin role anyway) and believe Lawrence is too young to be relied upon for a significant number of games
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brian_a_mul added 09:57 - Aug 10 Leadboots, Bowyer have left leaving us very light on back up. With Bullard leaving and Kourouma is an unknown, we really do need an additional CM. Lawrence may be used more often than expected, I hope we dont overuse him. Look at Wilshire. We dont want Byron on the treatment table, that could really slow down his development.
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RaymondovicBlue added 09:59 - Aug 10 Looking forward to seeing a solid and hungry looking Town at Bristol Rovers game ... ready for the other BR. Looking good - see what comes!
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Surco72 added 10:12 - Aug 10 With Bullard leaving along with Leadbitter and Bowyer i think a few old heads may find us out in this league starting with Murphy at Blackburn opening day ,hope i am wrong
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fussysnake added 10:45 - Aug 10 * Drury HASN'T been available
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pazelle added 11:05 - Aug 10 Every time Hyam does well Jewell tries to break him down and undermine him - Hyam and Luongo seems like a superb midfield and a lot better than that diamond horsecrap you were boshing together last season. If I was Evans I wouldn't give Jewell a penny to spend - he does better without it! Let Hyam play! Have some faith in what you have instead of buying idiots we don't need!

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Len_Brennan added 11:22 - Aug 10 Pazelle: Hyam is a good player & a very decent prospect for this season & beyond, but you are just naive to think we don't need extra cover in midfield of experienced players. This is a tough tough league & many of our opponents have spent big again. Hyam will struggle at times, as he did last season, and it would be unfair on him not to have options for when he's up against it. The idea of not giving PJ any money to strenghten there is madness. I'm not sure what you have in mind for when injuries inevitably happen.

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FriskinPriskin1 added 11:25 - Aug 10 Like Holland/Magilton? Except Holland never put a tackle in. Hope Hyam can wave his arms like a windmill better this season if he wants to emulate Holland.
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taylor15 added 11:36 - Aug 10 find it really odd that people are liking the idea of a LOAN for connor wickham, but hating the idea of a loan for luongo? please explain......
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Warkys_Tash added 11:52 - Aug 10 Make sure you play them, then Jewell! No point Hyam playing well for a few months and then as soon as you sign some old donkey, relegate the lad back to the reserves. Develop him, not use him.
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GTRKing added 12:03 - Aug 10 I Think these 2 will do well & play most of the season & they will only be dropped for 1 or 2 games (When they are tired) & Dury/Stevenson/Cheick Gourma (If tht how u spell it-If he signs)/Lorwence (If thts how you spell it & Will Play a few games) Will be back up. So this season looking good. I hope we do well.
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BlueBadger added 13:41 - Aug 10 Bet he drops Hyam, loans him, then releases him.
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fifeblue added 13:50 - Aug 10 Luke Hyam - best player at the club. If he goes, all is lost.
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Wickets added 15:19 - Aug 10 Most of us on here like and rate Luke but he is usually only good for an hour,not sure why as he has been working hard pre-season on fitness,hopefull 90 mins will come in time.Come on PJ reward him on a longer contract,it's just as important as Lee Martins.
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runningout added 16:40 - Aug 10 Hyam has the ability.. hope he will cover himself with confidence and learn the game in this league quick..
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