Elliott Hewitt is enjoying his stay at Colchester United, but the young loan defender would like to see his long-term future at parent club, Ipswich Town.

The 20-year-old joined Town from Macclesfield in 2012 but has been a peripheral first-team figure at Portman Road ever since, and spent time on loan at Gillingham last season.

His three-year deal expires in the summer and the Welsh under-21 international is keen to remain in Suffolk with Mick McCarthy’s team.

“I am happy to be here, it’s a top league and I have settled in well,” said Hewitt.

“I have spoken to Tony Humes and maybe I can extend my stay, I have got to see what Ipswich say, but you always want to play at the highest level possible.”

He added: “I am playing right-back mainly, I have done alright, it could have been better, but the team has done really well.

“Ipswich are my parent club and I have got to impress both the manager here and at Ipswich. Hopefully I can do that and push on and get a new contract at the end of the season.

“I started the season OK (in the Ipswich side), but then the lads went on a seven or eight game unbeaten run when I was not in the team, so I couldn’t complain.”

Hewitt could line up against another out-of-favour Town right-back, Freddie Veseli, when Colchester host League One rivals Port Vale tomorrow.

“I am good mates with Freddie, I used to live with him when he came here, but he will be on the other side on Saturday, so I will stay away from him I think.”