Luke Hyam, right, in action against Leeds

Luke Hyam impresses England scout

By Dave Gooderham Thursday, February 2, 2012
7:22 AM

HOMETOWN boy Luke Hyam could see his dramatic change of fortune capped by a England call-up.

The tenacious 20-year-old midfielder has been a revelation in Town’s last three matches – including the 5-1 destruction of West Ham on Tuesday.

And it could end with Hyam earning a shock call-up to the England Under-21s after a Three Lions scout saw him in action against the Hammers.

In a fantastic 48 hours for the youngster, Hyam also yesterday committed his future to the club after agreeing a one-year deal.

It is a remarkable turn of events for the Ipswich-born Hyam who had been unable to convince Jewell of his worth during the manager’s first year at Portman Road.

But after starting against Hull City in the FA Cup, largely due to the unavailability of others, Hyam has finally nailed down a regular place and repaid the faith shown by the Blues fans.

England scout Alan Cork, the former Wimbledon striker, would have left hugely impressed on Tuesday night by Hyam’s best performance since his return to the side, a 90 minutes full of snappy tackles and simple ball retention.

Now keeping illustrious team mates Jimmy Bullard and Grant Leadbitter on the sidelines, it is a far cry from just a few weeks ago when Jewell admitted he would not have stood in the way of Hyam going out on loan.

Since then, the midfielder – whose attitude was praised by Jewell – has won himself a new one-year deal.

Hyam said: “It was disappointing to be out of the side earlier in the season, but I’ve worked hard and forced my way back into the team and I’d like to think I’ve been rewarded with this new contract.”

While we understand Hyam was a player monitored by Cork, the England scout might also have left Suffolk with some positive things to say about Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who scored twice, including a long-range scorcher that deceived Rob Green.

While he turned 21 at the end of December, the age rules would mean Emmanuel-Thomas is still eligible for the Under-21s this year having already representing his country at Under-17s and Under-19s level.

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10 comments

I also think Rob Steroo's rants are becoming irrational. He is clearly on a witch-hunt, obsessed by his hatred for Jewell, Evans and Clegg. He is entirely polarised in this debate, unable to see matters with any perspective, insight or objectivity. I doubt in fact if he is a Town fan or goes to any games. I suspect he sits at home, alone, watching Ceefax hoping for them to lose so he can be first to post negative drivel on this board, with which he appears entirely obsessed.

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Tom

Thursday, February 2, 2012
@ Chris Hampshire - OK so I may have picked the wrong game in alluding to Peterborough. The fact remains that previously discarded players such as Hyam,Drury,Martin & Lee Barratt are succeeding where a bunch of older overpaid mercenaries constantly let the team down. @trueblue - my name may indeed say it all - yours however doesn't begin to do justice to how big an idiot you undoubtedly are

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Old Timer

Thursday, February 2, 2012
Rob Steroo - your relentless drivel is becoming unhinged. You must have posted about 100 comments about your feelings about Jewell signing 'dad's army' players and loan signings. You really don't need to go on about it any more. WE GET THE POINT! You always conveniently forget the signings he's made that don't fit into that category, e.g JET, Cresswell, Drury. There's no point in posting if you're going to be so one-sided. It invalidates your comments.

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The Poacher

Thursday, February 2, 2012
Trueblue... I assume that is a typo for deluded blue. Imagine where Town might be right now IF Jewell hadn't wasted half the season cramming the team with pointless loans and the epicly daft signing of Bullard? Imagine Town struggling against West Ham with a job lot of strangers from Portsmouth dropped into the team. If that is too much of an ask - imagine an inexperienced loanee goalkeeper making expensive mistakes - because it is only because of suspension and a missing job lot of irrational signings not being in the team that Town played the way they did. More despite Jewell than because of him a true Town supporter might think

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Rob Steroo

Thursday, February 2, 2012
About time something went his way! Now DON'T send him out on loan again Jewell! COYB!!!

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TheKidd

Thursday, February 2, 2012
@Old Timer: The team at Peterborough was:- David Stockdale, Jack Ainsley, Damien Delaney, Aaron Cresswell, Josh Carson (Smith 46), Lee Martin, Grant Leadbitter, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Kennedy 54), Keith Andrews, Carlos Edwards, Michael Chopra (Ellington 71). Two of the Youngsters were sent off. So what is the Connection??????

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Chris Hampshire

Thursday, February 2, 2012
Yes we played very well on the weekend, but the real proof will be in the next couple of matches. One fantastic result doesn't make us safe. We need to put together a good run for the rest of the season, to restore some credability.

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Kieran Atkin

Thursday, February 2, 2012
your name says it all old timer, im with jewell and always have been. if he takes responsibility for the 7-1 thrashing then he also takes credit for the 5-1 victory.i know it goes to the players but but both credit and responsibility need to shared out equally between players and manger.

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trueblue

Thursday, February 2, 2012
Things are moving aren't they, including us up the table I'm sure. If the players continue to reproduce the same form they showed against West Ham, we shall be happy supporters again. The players belief in their own ability that was always there has returned. What did I enjoy most in the West Ham game? I think that exquisite pass from Scotland to JET for our last goal.

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JOHN BURLS

Thursday, February 2, 2012
Youngsters 5 - Dads Army minus 7 Surely even Jewell will make some sort of connection ????????????

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Old Timer

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Luke Hyam impresses England scout

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