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.”

Photo: Action Images

hampstead_blue added 09:03 - Jan 24 Delighted he has got the credit he is due. PJ is consistent, credit or wrath whenever it's due. "He's not going to get you 10 goals a season," Let's hope in time he can save twenty goals per season getting stuck-in.
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bobble added 09:03 - Jan 24 clegg and jewel are another example for others
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walberswick added 09:09 - Jan 24 Great, you do well, then please clear off to Swindon for a year.
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nitroblue1970 added 09:13 - Jan 24 I despair of this guy! Brings Hyam back into the first team, gives him a new contract then talks about sending him out on loan...just keep him in the first team set up ffs!
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spanish_archer added 09:16 - Jan 24 Agree with Nitro...strange comment to put him in the first team then think about loaning him out to a lower league team to get experience.
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dubzyluvschips added 09:31 - Jan 24 Unbelievable, comes into the team, shows the old pro's up with his work rate and tenacity. Just what we have been missing. One problem area solved, right?... No PJ wants to send him out on loan. Awesome management .
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newboy added 09:33 - Jan 24 Would be better for Hyam to be loaned out they have only had 5/6 games for reserves this season so what is the point in rotting at Playford Road if they want to get better they need to play games and be tested so either loan out or move on to another club permanently. PJ is not doing anything great in giving a year to them just playing to the crowd and making a few gestures.

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omuircheartaigh added 09:38 - Jan 24 Agree with the posts above in relation to Jewell wanting to send Hyam out on loan. The sooner Jewell's management is terminated the better.
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irishtim added 09:45 - Jan 24 Keep him in the team & let him learn his trade here. No way should he be loaned out.
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Drew added 09:46 - Jan 24 Wait what? Decent player, has the potential to be a very good player, and an important one at that for us this season and next, and Paul wants him to go out on loan? WTF!
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daniel9624 added 10:01 - Jan 24 Without being at the training ground this might be a big call but, Luke seems like the kind of guy who would read something like this and then go out and play so well that there is no chance of him going. Maybe PJ knows how to pull this kids strings ( so to speak).
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footyblue added 10:02 - Jan 24 is he having a laugh him and drury have been great in the centre proud to play in the shirt xx
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newboy added 10:10 - Jan 24 Of course we are all missing the real point here 'has been offered' if someone else offers a better deal he could be somewhere else permanently
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walberswick added 10:15 - Jan 24 Let that a be a warning to you, if you play well, I'll send you out on loan next season, now clear off.
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nerdys added 10:19 - Jan 24 “I think it was nice to give him a year's contract and I hope that he can progress with us. WTF. NICE.!!! He should have the same amount of contract as Ainsley and Murray. These three are the future of this club.. But Alas it will be the same old story. Sell them for a pork pie and a bag of chips.
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PauloJulio added 10:24 - Jan 24 He could be the next big thing to come out of the ITFC academy or equally he could be the next Dean Bowditch/Billy Clarke!
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buryblue77 added 10:50 - Jan 24 I think the point is that if he finds himself behind other midfielders here (I for one would like to see a couple of experienced midfielders come in, and by that I mean people who are old enough to know the game but young enough to still have the energy that we lack in the centre, i.e 25-28 age range) I don't think he's the answer just yet but allowed time to develope he could become a feature of our midfield over the next couple of years, so I' rather see a couple of mid twenties brought in to supplement the experience of Bullard and Bowyer, get rid of Leadbitter then Hyam can step up fully over next couple of years.

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RRanger added 11:29 - Jan 24 Well said buryblue77.
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yorksblue added 11:49 - Jan 24 footyblue Took the words out of my mouth. The only decent thing to come away from Leeds at the weekend.
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blueherts added 11:54 - Jan 24 loan out the carthorses instead
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saffronblue added 12:08 - Jan 24 If PJ is going to bring back the old guard in midfield I would love to see him given a crack at RB until the end of the season. Why loan him out when he is better than what we have here at the moment.
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bobble added 12:10 - Jan 24 could we loan out clegg and jewel for 4 years ?
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La_Paz added 12:13 - Jan 24 The example being that we'll keep you dangling from year to year whilst farming you out all over the country, despite the good performances you have been putting in for the first team that have shamed some of the senior players currently clogging up your position on enormous wages. Sorry, but I think the club has got this one all wrong.
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Karlosfandangal added 12:26 - Jan 24 Please for the lads, However the worry being that they have been given 1 year contracts so this time next year we will be in the same boat with players contracts coming to an end. 2 Year contract would give you the chance to sell them if they do not progress or offer a better deal if you want to keep.
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asamink added 12:26 - Jan 24 Keep him in the team for 5/6 more games. If he keeps up the same level of performances then give him a 2/3 year contract.
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