Blues boss Paul Jewell says he knows nothing of Colchester’s reported interest in Luke Hyam but wouldn’t be averse to the midfielder moving to the U’s on loan in January if they are interested. The 20-year-old, whose Town contract is up in June, is understood to be a January target of the League One club.

Jewell hinted that a loan switch for Hyam might be something he would be willing to consider: “Jamie Griffiths has gone there and if Colchester want to take Luke, it’s news to me, but he’s a terrific young professional who needs to be playing games.

“If they did [want him], I always think it’s better for young players [to be playing competitive football]. Ronan Murray’s out playing games at Swindon.

“Playing against Chelsea or Tottenham [reserves] is all right, but it’s not the real thing and Ronan Murray is playing real football.

“Jamie Griffiths went to Plymouth and probably learnt more in the two or three months he was at Plymouth than he could ever by playing in the reserves.”

The Town manager has confirmed that Great Cornard-based Griffiths, 19, will not be offered new terms with his six-month deal almost at an end: “I’ve told Jamie that we won’t be renewing his contract and he’s free to go on trial anywhere.

“He’s a great lad, with a great attitude, but I’ve told him we won’t be offering him anything after December.”

Colchester boss John Ward wouldn’t be drawn on Hyam, but confirmed that Griffiths is with the U’s: “Jamie Griffiths is working with us because we got permission from Ipswich to take him into the football club.

“We are very much aware of who is around other football clubs, particularly in our area, but I can’t talk about a player or is contracted to another club.”

Photo: Action Images

fifeblue added 14:20 - Dec 15 Hyam is the best player at the club. With him in the team we would not be leaking goals like there's no tomorrow. He is the best defensive midfielder we've had in the last 30 years.
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irishtim added 14:22 - Dec 15 Keep him here give him a couple of games then make a decision. I want to see some of our younger players blended in with more senior pros & build a team to be proud of.
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footballfriend added 14:24 - Dec 15 First things first, get him to sign a 2 year deal... and then loan him out for the remainder of the season to gain experience for the very important role i feel he can and should play in our team next season, he is the type of player we are missing... just needs a few more games under his belt.
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rexron added 14:25 - Dec 15 Send Jewell out on loan.
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arc added 14:34 - Dec 15 He's 20, not 16. If he's going to be good enough, he needs to be able to do it now. The flashes he showed last season suggest he might have something. Give him a chance in the first team! A mixture of youth and experience makes a team better. Note: everything in the previous paragraph is obvious.
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Jeff_winger added 14:55 - Dec 15 wow fifeblue best in last 30 yrs! since 1981! what about john wark and george williams to name just two. Hyam is good but at 20 he should be playing first team football even if it is just as a sub or squad player, it confuses me why PJ wont even allow sub appearences he must realy see something in training he doesnt like
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sonian_blue added 15:09 - Dec 15 Great to hear PJ has his finger on the pulse as usual... Excellent 'rexron' and may I suggest a 24 year recall:)
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northstand78 added 15:10 - Dec 15 jewell's havin a laugh, he must be because hyam is quality. He goes on about a mixture of youth and experience and then lets someone who has proved themselve to be a good player in the Championship (albeit, his best performances were unde keano) go out on loan. What's he got to do to get a run in this team.??? Probably wait until his 30th birthday before he's considered. I feel very sorry for the youngsters at our club, they must be chomping at the bit to get a game and all they see are a bunch of ex premiership "stars!!" showboating Put him in for a few games and see what happens, if he did i'm sure he would prove Jewell wrong.

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irishtim added 15:23 - Dec 15 Northstand78- i dont think u can call it showboating more like making fools of themselves most games.
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Tractamatt added 16:13 - Dec 15 Anyone else feel that our youth policy/accademy is some how being wound down like a bad bussiness
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fifeblue added 16:15 - Dec 15 John Wark was an attacking midfielder- remember all those goals? George Williams? Do me a favour.
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Daleyitfc added 16:25 - Dec 15 John Wark WAS actually a defensive midfielder : he just used to get bored with the role during games and bang some goals in to keep himself awake! And I am old enough to remember people slagging HIM off at the time! Williams, it is true, was simply dreadful. Hyam may or may not be good enough for this division, but once again he's not being given a chance by the present boss to prove it one way or another. Bung him in the team for the next month, and then decide.

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tractorboy1961 added 16:32 - Dec 15 For Fu*ks sake Jewell why not play Hyam and let's see if he is good enough before you make a decision. Can't he see we need youth in the side. Can't we offer Jewell out on loan please before he totally destroys what youth policy we have
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Surco72 added 16:35 - Dec 15 Northstand ..If Hyam was so good he would shine in training everyday playing against the old show boating has beens ,obviously this is not happening otherwise he would be playing the same way the likes of Carson,Martin and Cresswell are surely ? Perhaps Bowyer,Kennedy , Andrews and Bullard are making Hyam look average the same way Derry did last season in the QPR game . Loan him out and let him prove himself in a lower league if he is that good he will shine

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up_the_town4 added 16:55 - Dec 15 Shock our fat scouse muppet off a manager not giving another young talent we have the chance and opportunity he deserves. Iv seen him play a few times and can straight away see this boy is good enough he just needs 10 to 15 games off the spin. From some off the performances iv seen this season why Luke Hyam hasn't been playing I don't no. If he leaves all the best another player through the Town Academy that we won't reap the rewards for DISGRACE

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saffronblue added 17:06 - Dec 15 Surco72 I completly agree, I watched him pre season and he looked awful and a shadow of the player we saw at the start of last season. Loan him out but try and get him to sign for another year first as it would be a shame if he did a Trotter on us.
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ITFC4daprem added 17:32 - Dec 15 play him
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h32 added 17:38 - Dec 15 Just accept everyone that the entry level at the Club with this Manager ?? - is 30 years of age. Only in extreme cases will anyone less in terms of years be considered. Face facts youngsters no longer have settled futures at this Club - whoever they are. This policy will do irreparable damage. Would not be at all surprised if they 'eventually' opt for Category 2 Academy - if they do, 'quite frankly we've had it'. Seriously concerning times for many reasons.

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Jeff_winger added 18:20 - Dec 15 @fifeblue John wark was holding midfielder in that team I know its hard to believe believe because he scored so many but he was supposed to be the defensive part of midfield. True williams was not the best but he broke play up well but my point was you can hardly say hyam is the best defensive midfielder in 30 yrs when hes played a handful of games.
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s6blue added 18:56 - Dec 15 far too young to ever be considered by jewell
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Keaneish added 19:35 - Dec 15 Here's a weird one Jewell...how about playing him instead of sending him on loan to get him games? Strange, but a blend of youth and experience has always been a winning formula...
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irishtim added 19:49 - Dec 15 Keaneish agree totally with u give him his chance im fed up with pj not giving our youth a chance
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harlingblue added 20:26 - Dec 15 Play him NOW, before we lose another young player that should have been in the team from the start this year. We are in a position where we have NO first choice keeper, will lose Collins, and Andrews soon, that's 'the spine' of the current team gone. If you play Hyam you could then have the luxury of 'this year's version of Bullard in the team?
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Coastalblue added 21:34 - Dec 15 Meh, Hyam will end up at Col U or somewhere for a season or two, then slowly slide down the leagues. He's not going to make it here.
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blrmy added 18:50 - Dec 19 Yep, cuz people sitting at their keyboards know far more about the players than those who train with them during the week. Sigh.
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