Blues boss Paul Jewell says midfielder Luke Hyam is an example to other players on the fringes at Portman Road. The 20-year-old was offered a new one-year contract last week having returned to the senior side in recent games for the first time under Jewell’s management.
The Town boss said: "I think it was nice to give him a year’s contract and I hope that he can progress with us. Again, he’s one that may go out on loan next year to progress. We don’t know.
"We’re pleased to offer him a contract because he’s an example to other people that when you’re out of the team or out of the picture, keep going, get your head down and work hard.”
While Hyam has played most of his first team football as a defensive midfielder, Jewell believes there is more to his game than that: "I think he’s got into that midfield holding role and has got a little bit stale in there.
"He got tagged as this holding midfield player who doesn’t move out of the centre circle but I don’t want him to because he’s got good energy.”
The Blues boss hints that the former Northgate High School pupil, who played as a right-back while an Academy player, might be tried out in different roles: "I just don’t want to limit him. He’s not going to get you 10 goals a season, he’s not that type, but I think he’s got more strings to his bow than sometimes he gives himself credit for. I think he’s played centre-half on the odd occasion as well.”
Once Hyam has put pen to paper, he’ll become the third young player to sign a new deal, defender Jack Ainsley and striker Ronan Murray, who has rejoined Swindon on loan, already having agreed deals until 2013.
"I’m pleased with Jack, Ronan and Luke,” Jewell added. "It gives them an extra year in which we can watch them progress.”