Elliott Hewitt believes that Ipswich Town are good bets to win promotion to the Premier League this season.

Talented right-back Hewitt has struggled to make an impact at Portman Road, since his arrival from Macclesfield two years ago.

But the 20-year-old Welshman is fast playing himself back into form, which is good news in the long-term for Ipswich, during an impressive start to his loan stint with East Anglian neighbours Colchester United.

Hewitt has caught the eye in the right-back role for the U’s, and has already dazzled in two 90-minute displays during his first week at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Having made his debut in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie against Gillingham last Tuesday evening, a game the U’s lost on penalties after a 3-3 draw, Hewitt played a key role on his U’s league debut as Tony Humes’ men beat Fleetwood Town 2-1 last Saturday.

He is looking to build on these performances, to help propel the U’s up the League One table, although his chief goal remains pushing Town towards the top flight.

“I think that Ipswich are promotion material, the way they are going,” insisted Hewitt.

“We’ve built a good platform this season, although the Championship is always a hard division to get out of. The club has only got a small budget, but we’ve got a good base and a good squad.

“Hopefully we can win promotion, either through the play-offs or even automatically.”

Ipswich are on a roll at the moment, unbeaten in seven games since losing the East Anglian derby to Norwich on August 23. Mick McCarthy’s men have won four and drawn three of those last seven fixtures, to be squatting in the play-off zone in sixth spot –just two points separate leaders Norwich from eighth-placed Wolves.

On a personal note, Hewitt has started just two league games this term, the opening day win over Fulham and the 1-0 defeat at Reading. His last Town outing was as a substitute in the 2-0 home win over Rotherham on September 27.

But he has no complaints with his lack of opportunities at Town, and is instead looking to do himself a power of good at Colchester.

“It’s very competitive trying to get into the Ipswich team,” confessed Hewitt.

“I have no complaints being out of the side, and out of the squad, because the boys are flying at the minute. Instead, my aim is to get some game-time at Colchester.

“I initially went in to see the gaffer (McCarthy), and asked him if I could go out on loan. He rejected that at the start, but then the international break came and he agreed that I could go out on loan for a month.

“Every footballer wants to be playing, and it’s going well with Colchester.”

Hewitt will be looking to continue his good form for Colchester at Scunthorpe on Saturday, while Ipswich Town are at home to Blackburn Rovers.