Boss Mick McCarthy says he was happy to extend Elliott Hewitt’s loan spell with Colchester into a third month. The Wales U21 international could now remain with the League One side until January 17th, although McCarthy knows he’s match fit and available should he need him back at Portman Road.

“I’ve extended it but I haven’t really because he’s got 24 hours’ notice to come back and that’s always been the case,” McCarthy said.

“While he’s playing I’m happy for him to be playing games. He’s not going to come back and get in the team, he’ll probably come and sit in the stand and there’s no point in him doing that.

“And I do know that if I need him, he’s been playing games and he’s fit and ready to go.”

The Town boss confirmed that talks have started with Port Vale regarding the permanent signing of Swiss defender Freddie Veseli, who is currently on loan at Vale Park.

“Yes, and I hope they do because his future’s not here, it’s elsewhere,” he added. “Freddie knows that and if we can move him on to Port Vale and they can benefit from it, then great.”

Veseli is out of contract with Town at the end of the season and is almost certainly available on a free transfer.

Photo: Action Images

dirtyboy added 15:54 - Dec 19 Get the feeling Mick really doesn't like Freddie.
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Ipswichbusiness added 19:03 - Dec 19 I like Elliot Hewitt as a player, but I fear that the manager doesn't (and it's his view that counts)
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theblueginger added 19:18 - Dec 19 dityboy i'm not sure doesn't like is the way to put it. He could develop into a different player but he is not and is unlikely to be Championship quality. It is a case of MM being honest about it all.
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Hegansheroes added 19:22 - Dec 19 MM certainly does have his favourites and I don't think Veseli & Hewitt are among them. MM's record in the transfer market has generally been good but there have been some pretty poor ones even if they didn't cost anything. I still think some of the 1st team squad are really not cutting it, Tabb, Anderson, Connor and even Stephen Hunt, yeah they all work hard but are they good enough to get us promotion. I do hope Hewitt isn't off loaded as I think he great potential and long term an asset Interesting Port Vale are now using Veseli as a CH. Be interesting to see what happens in January, hopefully Mings & Bishop won't be off.

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ITFC_Cairo added 19:44 - Dec 19 Yes, I would say they are good enough to get us promoted since we are one result away from going top and they have been playing. The season isn't defined by an ideal starting XI. When someone is injured, or when MM rotates the team to keep them fresh, having Tabb, Anderson and Hunt playing tirelessly is a massive positive. Hunt and Anderson have set up at least 3/4 goals between them in the last few matches they've played. Tabb played a blinder last week against a tough Bolton, and very nearly won it for us.

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itfccymru added 21:18 - Dec 19 Hegansheroes there's no real substance in what you're saying, Tabb has been outstanding recently, Anderson has been wracking up the assists and Hunt has been one of our most consistent performers this season. Granted Sammon hasn't been brilliant but always a physical threat, and your point of them players not being good enough for a promotion push.. I think being 1 point off top spot proves they are good enough! COYB!

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commuterblue added 21:44 - Dec 19 I think Hewitt still has a future here, and he is a MM player. he played right mid no grumbling but if Parr can't get in the team he won't either. MM's record has been more than "generally good" in my opinion. Berra. McGoldrick. Bialkoski. Mings. Parr. Skuse. (Murphy - permanently). Jonny Williams. The Hunts. Tabb and Anderson had poor seasons last year but both have been very good this year. Bru looks decent. St Ledger could be important if we have injuries at CB. Ambrose gives quality form the bench. He has also made several good choices in letting players go, including on loan. taylor nouble wordsworth. I have no regrets about letting them go. He has had some failures but few by comparison. Veseli, Nouble, Bajner so far, and Conno Sammon needs to score. And it's too early to judge for henshall and Stewart.

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Hegansheroes added 01:38 - Dec 20 itfccymru I think there is substance in what I say, we should have beaten Bolton, Tabb had 3 chances, his header I thought was an excellent attempt but the other 2 chances he should have done much better. Having recently watched the crossbar challenge video I was surprise how far away Tabb was with his effort, this is coming from someone who trains daily, I know when I was playing I could have done far better. Anderson may be getting a few assists but lets not forget he was not a freebie, we paid up JET's contract probably 500K & I don't see him really doing much apart from a lot of hard graft. Hunt is OK but 34 and should be finding the net occasionally, his brother looks a better bet. We do seem to have a lot of young talent coming through however from the academy which is brilliant as long as we can keep them

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Green_Army added 04:29 - Dec 20 Have to agree with itfccymru, Hegansheroes, Tabb wasn't getting many chances at the start of the season but with Hyam and Bru injured he's really stepped up to the plate. The work rate he puts in is phenomenal. Ok he missed a couple of chances v Bolton, one of which was a magnificent save, but you can hardly judge him on that alone. Ando - another class performer in recent weeks especially against bournemouth and Hunty has the fitness levels of a 24 year old, he'll run all day. Sammon, agreed, inst technically gifted but Mick would of known he wasn't bringing in a 20+ goal a season striker - he's a big lump that does a job late on if needed - we saw that against Wigan ealier in the year. Looking forward to the game later but everyone get behind the lads, cannot believe I'm seeing negative posts about certain players considering the work rate they've put in thus far this season and come Monday morning we could well be sitting top of the pile!

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50yearsablue added 11:13 - Dec 20 Hegansheroes, all I can say is thank goodness MM is manager and not you. Fortunately you are a lone voice among several more considered comments. You do not judge a player by one incident, like you have with Tabb, but by the overall contribution. We are not near the top by accident and carrying deadwood. Just try to watch the games with a more open mind
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