Town boss Roy Keane says central defender Tom Eastman could be the next academy player to progress into the first team. The Colchester-born 18-year-old is set to be offered his first professional contract this summer.
Keane says he has been delighted with 6ft 3in tall Eastman’s progress in the U18s and reserves this season: ”He’s been excellent. He’ll be training with us this morning. He’s doing very well, he’s a good lad, he’s got a good attitude and he played well again the other night for the reserves.
"The boy’s got a chance. He’s a decent player, very level-headed, good on the ball, can head it and has scored a couple of goals in the last couple weeks. Tom’s doing very well and I’ve been very impressed with him.”
The Blues boss says Eastman could follow Connor Wickham into the first team before the end of this season: "Why not? But all the young lads must be thinking the same. He’ll train with us this morning, maybe Troy Brown as well and a lot of the young kids that are pushing, even the U18s. Luke Hyam’s doing really well.
"We’re delighted with the young lads coming through, but whether they ever go on and do well is the big question mark. A lot of them have a good chance.
"Getting a contract’s easy, getting in the first team’s the hard part. Any half-decent player gets a contract, that’s the easy part.”
Meanwhile, Keane says two players are suffering with knocks which might keep them out of Saturday’s crucial home game with Scunthorpe but refused to reveal their identities at his Friday press conference.
The Blues boss expects no loans in or out in the near future, despite having received an enquiry last week: "There’ll be no comings or goings this week unless something drastic happens over the weekend. I don’t see too much action.”
Elsewhere, former Blue Gavin Williams has joined Yeovil Town on a month's loan from Bristol City. Williams was previously at Huish Park between 2002 and 2004.
Ex-Town reserve Ashley Nicholls has joined Blue Square South side Eastleigh from Newport County.