Town boss Mick McCarthy has revealed that he was behind Luke Hyam’s loan switch to Rotherham. The 24-year-old midfielder's move to the Millers until January 23rd was confirmed earlier today.
"I’m delighted,” McCarthy said. "I set it up, I rang Neil Redfearn [the manager] at Rotherham after we played them.
"I knew he was looking for loan players and I said ‘We’ve got Luke Hyam coming back and if that’s the type you’re looking for, you’ll not get better, he’ll get around the pitch and certainly put the work in and inspire others with how he does it’.
"And he knows him, of course.He played in the U21s here, he played in a game we had here in the week and he looks fine. Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with his knee and he’s one of the fittest players I’ve ever seen. He’ll get there.
"He’s gone until January 23rd but I always have a 24-hour recall after a month, which Christmas Eve, so if we need him after then I can call him back.
"If not, and he’s playing and he’s in the team, great, because he’ll be better for us then.”
The Town boss says he’s confident that Hyam will win a place in Rotherham line-up, despite having been out of action since January with a knee injury which required surgery in July.
"I can’t pick his team but he’s not one to be taking him if he’s not going to use him,” McCarthy added.
"I am comfortable in my own mind that when he goes up there and he sees him training and playing I would have thought he’d be a cert for him.
"Where they are in the league and what they’re trying to do, trying to get out of that relegation zone, Luke Hyam would be perfect player for them.”
The Town boss confirmed that Hyam's long-term future remains with the Blues.
"As always footballers are the most insecure people in the world. I mentioned about going out on loan and I know full well it’s like ‘Does the gaffer fancy me? What’s happening?’.
"He’s not played since Southampton in January, it’s nearly 12 months since he played a competitive game.
"It will do him good to get out and get games and I’ve said to him that whenever he comes back, whether it’s after the 28 days or whether it’s after January 23rd, it’s his job to get in my job then, it’s his job to impress me.
"For two and a half seasons he played just about every game, so quite clearly I have a liking for him.”
Also moving out on loan is 20-year-old keeper Michael Crowe, who has joined League Two Stevenage until January 10th.
"I spoke to Teddy Sheringham and he wants someone to compete for that first-team place. There’s no promises of him getting in,” McCarthy said.
"I’ve just said to him, ‘Go up there and be the best keeper, get in and stay in’. That’s the aim, don’t be going up there to make up the numbers.”
Yesterday, striker James Alabi, 21, joined Vanarama National League Grimsby, which McCarthy says is a good move for the former Stoke youngster at this stage of his career.
"He’s nowhere near playing in the first team ahead of the quartet we have here but he can be a real handful on his day because he’s big and he’s powerful and he’s very quick. I haven’t met a defender yet that likes playing against that.
"He will benefit from going and playing there. I know it’s Conference football but there’s a crowd there, people are wanting points, people are wanting money, people are paying money. It’s not like the U21s where it’s about development. I think it’s important they learn that.
"And it’s a tough league, that’s a physically tough league and he’ll have to be proper bloke to play in it.”
He added: "They’re on the TV, they’ve got a cup game on TV and I’m sure that did no harm in enticing him up there!”
McCarthy confirmed that he wouldn't be making any loan signings before today's 5pm deadline.