Blues manager Gary O’Neil says he sees no reason why academy product Cameron Humphreys won’t have a career in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has been in and around the first-team squad for five seasons now, making his senior debut in the Carabao Cup tie at home to Newport County in August 2021.

Since then, he has had impressive loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers and Huddersfield in League One.

For Town, he has made 26 starts and 18 sub appearances, scoring four goals.

Humphreys featured throughout pre-season with the Blues having been short on more senior midfield players after Jack Taylor and Azor Matusiwa underwent surgery and Jens Cajuste left at the end of his loan.

“Unbelievable pre-season that the boy’s had,” O’Neil said. “When I came in, I was thinking, how are we going to get through pre-season with two centre midfielders?

“And Cam has just been unbelievable around the first-team group. He’s never looked out of place. He has unbelievable quality.

“He’s a fantastic kid. I’ve absolutely loved the first nine weeks of working with him and I think he has a real bright future.

“Whether he plays loads in the Premier League this season, things will unfold the way they unfold, but I see no reason that if he keeps progressing the way he’s progressing that he won’t have a career in the Premier League. 

“I think he has a real chance, especially the way he works and the way he goes about his business. So, delighted for him that he’s gone so well.

“Let’s see what the rest of the season looks like for him, he’s made a fantastic start. I’ve been really impressed. Sort of caught me by surprise, really, I didn’t see much of him, but a real pleasant surprise. So, fantastic kid, talented footballer. Looking forward to seeing how he does over the next few months.”

Does that suggest the Colchester-born schemer will stay at Town for the season rather than being sent out on loan before the window closes next Tuesday, as might have been anticipated?

“To be honest, I don’t know,” O’Neil admitted. “I don’t know what will be over the next few days of the window. I will only keep him here if I feel it’s best for him, you know, we’ve signed a lot of midfielders.

“Obviously, selfishly, I’ll just keep everyone around the group, but that’s not the way it is.

“We need to make sure that we do the right thing for Cam, do the right thing for the group.

“That stands for other players as well, not just Cam. So, there will be decisions to make between now and next Tuesday. Of course there will.

“But as you saw, he’s just done 90 minutes against Leicester and just slotted in perfectly. So, no worries for me around if he stays around it.

“If I have to play him in Premier League games, no problem at all. I think he’s more than equipped.”

Photo: Matchday Images