Mick McCarthy has challenged Elliott Hewitt to come out of the cold and potentially play a crucial role during Ipswich Town’s Christmas campaign.

The Blues boss admitted the teenager’s performance levels dipped after the Wales Under-21 international was dropped following three defeats in the opening four Championship games of the campaign.

Hewitt has since been shipped out to League One Gillingham, having seen centre-back Luke Chambers and, for the win at Blackpool, central midfielder Cole Skuse replace him at right-back.

However, the former Macclesfield defender remains part of McCarthy’s plans and the former Republic of Ireland boss is keeping close tabs on the 19-year-old’s progress.

“He did alright at the start of the season, but I changed the team because we hadn’t won games, despite playing well enough,” said McCarthy, whose side travel to Charlton Athletic at the weekend.

“He’s gone out to play five, six, seven games and he’ll be better for it. I think he’d gone backwards since dropping out the team with his performances in the Under-21s and in training. Maybe the fact he’d been left out affected him.”

Hewitt’s two games for the Gills have seen the Kent side pick up three points, from a 2-1 victory at Sheffield United and a 1-0 home defeat to Oldham Athletic.

“Now he’s at a club, he’s playing and I think he shone in a victory up at Sheff United recently – we had a scout and another member of staff there watching,” added McCarthy.

“The message to him is get some games. Hopefully he’ll come back for the Christmas period, if I need him, better for the experience.”