Blues boss Paul Jewell says midfielder Luke Hyam has thoroughly deserved the new one-year deal offered earlier in the week having shown an exemplary attitude while out of the side earlier in the season. The 20-year-old returned to the first team for the FA Cup defeat at Hull and made his first league start of the Paul Jewell era in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Blackpool.
Jewell said: "I think he deserves a lot of credit, Luke Hyam. He’s been not near the team and sometimes he hasn’t got a game in the reserve team this year either.
"But I tell you what, he’s an example. He’s got his head down, he’s worked harder than he’s ever worked — he’s in the gym, he’s out on the pitches.
"It’s not just because he played well Saturday, I just thought it was a reward for what he’s done.
"I had a chat with him before Christmas and told him to keep going, that you don’t know what’s around the corner, he might get his chance and if he does to make sure he’s ready.”
Meanwhile, Portsmouth's prospective new owner Joseph Cala is reported to have pulled out of his move to take over at Fratton Park, something which could have a bearing on the Blues' attempt to sign Pompey pair Jason Pearce and Joel Ward.