The hard work has only just begun for young Blues full-back Elliott Hewitt, according to Town skipper Carlos Edwards.

The 18-year-old summer signing from Macclesfield made just his second league start for Town on Saturday and played his part as Ipswich secured their Championship survival with a 3-1 win over Birmingham, at Portman Road.

Hewitt has been a regular on the bench for the Blues but has seen his way to the first team blocked by in-form Wolves loanee Richard Stearman, who missed out on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

However, with Stearman’s future unclear, Edwards has challenged the young Welshman to do everything in his power to remain Mick McCarthy’s number one choice on the right-hand side of defence.

“Everytime he (Hewitt) has been given his opportunity he has taken it with both hands,” said Edwards.

“I keep telling him that once he gets that opportunity, he must make sure that he keeps hold of his place, that’s the hardest part.

“It’s hard to get into the team but once you are there it’s more difficult to keep your position because everyone is breathing down your neck.

“Fair play to him, the last couple of games he has played, he has done remarkably well.”

Meanwhile, Daryl Murphy has revealed he would like to remain at Ipswich beyond the end of the season.

The big striker is out-of-contract at Celtic in the summer and has already admitted that he has no future with the Scottish giants.

Following the penultimate game of his third loan spell a Portman Road, the former Sunderland man said he would like to be part of McCarthy’s plans next season.

“I’d love to be a part of that future here. I’ve made no secret that I love it here at Ipswich and I’m settled in the area,” said Murphy, who has scored seven goals this season.

“If something can be done then I would love to stay here on a permanent deal.”

In tomorrow’s Ipswich Star, an in-depth interview with Ipswich Town academy supremo, Bryan Klug.