Elliott Hewitt, who is set to become Town’s first signing of the summer, is a player very much in the mould of fellow Welshman Gareth Bale, according to those who watched him during his time with Macclesfield. We understand that personal terms have been agreed with Hewitt and that the deal is likely to be confirmed on Tuesday or on his 18th birthday on Wednesday at the latest.

Hewitt travelled down to Suffolk today and was due to undergo a medical this evening or in the morning, the Blues and the Silkmen having set an undisclosed fee late last week.

Macclesfield fans are disappointed to be losing the right-back who has made quite an impact since breaking into the first team, according to Gary Jackson from The Silkweb: “He's been at the club now for the past four or five years, starting in John Askey's youth team before finding himself a reserve regular.

“He signed a pro contract in 2010 and made his full Macc debut at the age of 16 in May 2011 in a 1-1 draw at home to Hereford.

“For a young player he has already developed really well. He’s big, strong on the ball and has pace. Very much a Gareth Bale type of player as he likes bursting forward.”

In action for Macclesfield against Bolton in the FA Cup in January

Hewitt’s 2011/12 campaign came to an early end in March due to injury, meaning he was unable to play a part in the closing stages of a season which ultimately saw the Silkmen relegated into the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Jackson says the full-back - unlike the left-sided Bale a right-footer - is currently still continuing his recovery, but before being sidelined was attracting scouts from a number of top clubs to Moss Rose: “He struggled with injury last season, with hip impingement, and had to have two operations to get it sorted. He’s off to Lilleshall for rehabilitation in the next few weeks.

“Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton were sniffing around him at the start of the season and he’s also a Wales U21 international. You have yourself a great player.”

Hewitt already has one friend based locally, his Welsh U21s team-mate Tom Bender plays for Colchester United.

Photos: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

Joetown95 added 08:46 - May 29 It sounds like we will get him which is gret news
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Joetown95 added 08:59 - May 29 Ps Has anyone heard anything about Daryl Murphy. I thought he was close to joining us last week. Havent heard a thing since.
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BlueBailey24 added 09:07 - May 29 Very excited about this! well done Jewell. Can just tell by Sindre's article (thank you!) he is a great prospect but agree with DiamondGeezer it has made me nervous now!
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Michael11 added 09:35 - May 29 Much more happy about this than i ever was about Joel Ward! Young and exciting, well done PJ! (if this happens)
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Wickets added 09:38 - May 29 Nice? hope so, i also wonder how much? Some reports last year recon Arse was quoted £1.75m for him!!
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bluestu71 added 09:51 - May 29 Young and hungry for it, just what we need, well done PJ
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parhamblue added 10:12 - May 29 Are we taking on a l/t injury case and an injury risk? Is this why we've got to the head of the queue?
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jas0999 added 10:44 - May 29 A promising first signing. Still don't think we will see him play regularly next season - as Edwards will surely play (as captain). But we needed a back-up and am all for building a team for the FUTURE - something PJ didn't (on the whole) do last pre-season. In fairness he admits the mistake himself. A good first step in learning from his mistakes.
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runningout added 11:11 - May 29 can we all just learn from previous transfers not to overdo it... can be a bit embarrassing : )
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cressi added 11:47 - May 29 Why cant he play and Edwards push on to right midfield ?
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JackITFC96 added 11:56 - May 29 Very pleased
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Urchin added 12:02 - May 29 totally agree with most that we would welcome this type/age of player with the porverbial open arms. Wold be great for the future for both club and player. Given this, still worried about seeminly lack of progress on the GK adn CBs required. However this possible signing came as a bolt out of the blue so perhaps good announcemts in due course regarding these positions. Does anyhone know anything about the Sam Baldock rumour which surfaced a week or so ago?

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hollywoodginge added 12:05 - May 29 Completed medical and is set to sign for £150,000 according to Ipswich Star website although the fee is only 'understood' to be that. In my opinion if this is the case we were right to keep it on the down low to avoid a bidding war. Very happy with this signing.
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ITFCforlife added 12:26 - May 29 yes! a cb and we have a good back-line with back-up. I would be pleased if we got one or two more young players around this age who can play between 15-20 games next season
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ericgatesrules added 12:34 - May 29 I like this one. Well done Paul. An excellent first signing for next season. Fingers crossed for the medical. We need cover for Carlos and this lad looks he can push for the first team. Now get that Goalie and CB in ASA flippin P!
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parhamblue added 12:37 - May 29 Presumably the contract will protect the club in case of injury limiting number of apps. or worse. May sound negative, would obviously love there not to be any probs once he rehabilitates properly and makes a full recovery from recurring hip problems. In that scenario sounds like an absolute bargain and a gamble that will pay off handsomely.
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RegencyBlue added 12:43 - May 29 This is most unlike Clegg - deal kept out of the public gaze until almost done and dusted! Perhaps he's finally learned from previous mistakes. Potentially a good bit of business, although comparisons with Gareth Bale are going to have some of our support expecting far too much too soon.
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Tractastic added 12:50 - May 29 Looks very promising,fingers crossed he passes the medical ok.
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irishtim added 13:10 - May 29 Few more we should check out. Ross draper midfielder maccesfield. Matthew lowton & Harry maguire Sheff utd defenders. Chris Taylor winger Oldham. Simon Church striker Reading.
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FenboyBlue added 13:20 - May 29 Ethically, I'm not sure where I stand on players being made from the mould of other players, but oh sod it...let's all have a disco!
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Ipswich24 added 15:27 - May 29 A very good signing indeed like this type of young, hungry talent from lower leagues who will be full of enthusiasm to be at our club. Would like to see Lowton from Sheff utd can play across the back or in midfield. Would also like to see Matt Ritchie from Swindon, Phil any more news on him as there was a lot of reported interest in him earlier?
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buryblue77 added 16:31 - May 29 I know that Phil reported the deal to be done today or tomorrow but the EADT are reporting he's had his medical and discussing personal terms with PJ (I didn't think PJ was involved in the contract negotiations, I thought that part was Evans and or Clegg) but the longer this goes on, the more nervous I become about us securing him, especially now other clubs will know we're in for him, could someone else possibly sabotage the deal? Let's hope not! Come on Evans/Clegg/PJ, whoever, let's get this wrapped up and soon!

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braveblue added 17:00 - May 29 I hope he does really well but why all the hysterics? He is only a lad and will probably not be in the first 11. I will be happier when I see PJ signing a couple of players who might improve us. Also, I wonder why it should take another 5 days to complete the signing - is Clegg getting involverd? Probably not - he will be busy with his other job now!!
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SamWhiteUK added 18:39 - May 29 Let's get this wrapped up - what a birthday present that would be!!
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Blue_Fred added 18:41 - May 29 to those who say he won't feature in the first XI - didn't PJ say that about a certain left back from the lower leagues when he signed last summer?
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