Blues boss Paul Jewell says new signing Elliott Hewitt impressed him a great deal when he watched him in action for Macclesfield and the Welsh U21s last season. The 18-year-old, who is recovering from hip operations he underwent while with the Silkmen, signed a three-year contract at the end of May after moving for an initial £250,000 fee.

Jewell said: “We’ve decided to really try to improve the squad from a young aspect. We think Elliott’s going to be a good player. He’s not going to be fit until September or maybe late August.

“We watched him six or seven times last year, I watched him for the Welsh U21s and he impressed me an awful lot. He’s only 18 and he’s going to be a good player in the future.”

The Blues boss says he’s looking to assemble a more settled squad going forward after several years of instability at the club, both before and after his appointment: “I think at this club, certainly since I’ve been here, there’s been constant change almost, a constant turnover of players. We want to try and get players who are going to be here [long-term].

“We might have to use one or two loan players, but the likes of an Elliott Hewitt or an Aaron Cresswell, we want them to be here for a long time. And Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and Josh Carson, people like that.

“We want them to be here as something to build the club on. From my point we’ve tried to have a quick-fix every week and I think it’s about time that we look a bit further forward than just one season.”

Photo: Action Images

Photo: Action Images

JW_ITFC added 07:08 - Jul 12 Yes Jewellio, looking forward to seeing this kid, two young prospects playing regularly for years to come with Tommy in the middle could form a great partnership. Where has all the panic gone for transfers? Oh yeah, there was and still is no need to. Not yet.
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irishtim added 07:32 - Jul 12 Look forward to see him playing for us.
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Mark added 08:01 - Jul 12 I am glad we realise that youth is the way forward and Hewitt looks a great signing. It's good to read he could be fit as soon as late-August, as I thought he was out until October.
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Warkys_Tash added 08:09 - Jul 12 Sounds a prospect, if he becomes as good as Cressey then most fans will be happy & we will have two good full backs - a vital part of any team.
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Wickets added 08:45 - Jul 12 And LUKE PJ and LUKE
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richard_4_itfc added 09:09 - Jul 12 What?! Quote-“We want them to be here as something to build the club on. From my point we've tried to have a quick-fix every week and I think it's about time that we look a bit further forward than just one season.” End Quote Paul Jewell has constantly said since he arrived that it will take time to get success with ITFC. We cannot keep dreaming of a rosy future but instead need to make a rosy present! Jewell has had enough time to fit in to the club and sort his style out so ITFC are successful again. A good youth policy is obviously important but ITFC need a good season and a good manager should see to that! ITFC must have a better season than the last few years.....just do it!

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algarvefan added 09:09 - Jul 12 Any good team is built from the back, for the first time in several years I have hope for the future :)
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WickedBlue added 09:17 - Jul 12 @richard 4 itfc Good job you weren't around when the late great Sir Bobbytook over at Ipswich. Took him several years to get winning team with many calling for his head. Luckily we hada very good Chairman.
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saffronblue added 09:50 - Jul 12 Good to see him mention Carson, would be nice to see him get a few more games, hopefully Hyam is still part of his plans as he has always done well in the centre of the park whenever I have seen him.
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WorcesterBlue added 10:05 - Jul 12 Excited by the new direction but we will need to be patient with the likes of Carson, Hewitt and the other youngsters if they are to push on. Just hope PJ gets them all trying to play passing football and I for one will be giving them loads of encouragement. Not sure about yet more Central Midfielders though and on loan - thought we'd got that covered now?
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irishtim added 11:14 - Jul 12 Another cb. 2 Keepers & another striker. Job done. Keogh,Heaton,Loach,Davies or Fuller.
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ChrisMakin2012 added 11:24 - Jul 12 Lleyton Hewitt
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jas0999 added 11:42 - Jul 12 I disagree with some earlier comments. There are only 5 weeks until the first game and are still 4 or 5 signings light of having a squad capable of challenging for promotion. Two signings to date is not impressive. That said am pleased with the two signings to date - but of course one will not be fit until October at best - so we can't really include him as a key player for this season. Having BOTH hips operated on could also be a long-term problem - who knows how long he will take to recover ...

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Garv added 12:27 - Jul 12 Article says late August/September Jas. Unlucky.
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brian_a_mul added 12:30 - Jul 12 @ Jas0999, I am really concerned about Hewitts injuries also. Hip issues can really slow a player down. I hope it doesnt have a negative impact on Hewitt when he returns. He is however a good prospect and could be a very good player for us this season. Its really far too early to tell. I certainly wouldnt be ruling him out at the moment. Jimmy Bullard was our key man two seasons ago and he only joined in January on loan. Look what he did that season! I am not saying we will struggle early on but in my opinion the key period in the season seems to be after christmas when teams go on a run or build up momentum towards the business end of the season come April/May.

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irishtim added 12:43 - Jul 12 @brian-a-mul. Depends on the severity of the problems with his hips. If it was serious he would not be at the club. I have no worries whatsoever about it. If he does his rehab properly we will see a good player.
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brian_a_mul added 13:30 - Jul 12 @irishtim I hope you are right! The earlier return is a boost and a good indication that he is recovering well. I'm sure he will be 100% when he returns. I just hope he isn't rushed back too soon. Does anyone know how he picked up the hip injury in the first place?
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TractorBoy666 added 16:33 - Jul 12 Jas, like jewell said, its a long term plan. Which means we are not going to get success straight away. And please stop going on about Hewitt being out until October, even though the article says late August/September. Its not the whole season is it?! You make as though it is..
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bluetown added 16:39 - Jul 12 And goodbye ? Hyam Whight Burke.
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ITFCforlife added 17:05 - Jul 12 good. hoping carson gets more games as he was mentioned, he could be our 2nd choice winger next yr if we dont get murphy and jewell sells martin rather than let him go on a free. TBH i would prefer it if we improved on last year but dont go up to give the young players we are buying more time to grow but we may have a good young team next year: Heaton (26) Edwards(33) Chambers (26), Smith(22) Cresswell(22) Martin(25)/Carson(19) Bullard(32) Kourmana(22) JET(21) Chopra (28) ? then Lawrence, Carson, Whight, Hewitt and Burke as young back-up BLUETOWN--- I think hyam may be in his plans. As with whight i'm not sure as he is clearly talented but hasnt played a game, mainly due to cresswells great form. I dont think burke will be needed much.

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tractorboybig added 17:19 - Jul 12 Having just signed him, what else could he say??????????????????????????????????
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