Town boss Mick McCarthy is delighted that midfielder Luke Hyam has signed a new contract aimed at keeping him at Portman Road until 2016. The 21-year-old put pen to paper on his new terms earlier in the week.
McCarthy said: "That’s great news, that’s brilliant news for both of us, for the club and for Luke. For Luke, it’s a reward for being a first-teamer and a regular starter.
"He’s inked in on the teamsheet. He’s been terrific since I’ve come to the club. I’m not suggesting I’ve done anything to get any more out of him, he’s just been a regular starter."
McCarthy says things haven't always been easy for the former Northgate High School pupil: "Any time he’s ever got in he’s seemed to get injured and lost his place.
"But he’s been terrific and it’s reward for him and it’s great for the club that they’ve tied one of their former academy players and a local lad down to a new contract. Great news.”
The Town boss says he’d prefer to have his players secured on deals if possible but concedes that that’s not always going to be the situation: "There’s not a lot you can do if they want to let their contracts [run down], if they decide not to re-sign, you just get the best out of them until they go.
"A bit like Lee Martin. Lee was great but he left in the summer. It is better if you’ve got them tied up and they’re our players and they’re under contract for two or three years.
"Then they can concentrate on being here and doing well for us and not looking elsewhere.”