Manager Mick McCarthy believes Wales U21 international Elliott Hewitt has returned to the club an improved player having spent much of last season on loan with League One Gillingham. The 20-year-old could start today’s opening match of the season at home to Fulham at right midfield with the Blues short of wide options with Paul Anderson, Cameron Stewart and Stephen Hunt all injured.
"Elliott’s come back to pre-season training much improved, having played some football for Gillingham last year,” McCarthy said.
"I’m really pleased with him, he’s doing very, very well. He looks more mature, he looks a better player, he looks stronger and just better about himself.”
Hewitt, who made 20 appearances while at the Priestfield Stadium, started 2013/14 in the Town side but was one of a number of players to drop out at the end of August as McCarthy rung the changes following a disappointing first few games.
The Town boss says Hewitt, who has made seven starts and five sub appearances for the Blues since signing from Macclesfield in the summer of 2012, was a touch unlucky.
"I think Elliott was one of the unfortunate ones. He didn’t play that badly but I just put a tougher back four in.”
McCarthy hints that Hewitt could be used in midfield rather than his more usual right-back position against Fulham, having started in that role in last week’s friendly at Leyton Orient.
"He’s an attacking full-back, for sure,” the Blues boss added. "That was probably his forte, rather than his defending, although I think he’s improved on that and has improved all-round as a player having come back.
"He’s particularly good going forward. He started there last week because of the shortage of wide midfielders and he’s got a chance on Saturday.”
McCarthy has also been impressed by another of Town’s other younger players: "Jack Marriott’s had a good pre-season, he’s really trim and fit and stronger. He’s doing well, I’m pleased with him.”
Meanwhile, the Blues boss says extending the contracts of the likes of Christophe Berra and David McGoldrick hasn’t been seriously looked at so far: "That’s not been the focus, trying to do that. We want to get the season started. If we have a good start, that helps in any negotiation if we have to get into it.”