LUKE Hyam is loving life with HIS Super Blues.

A season-ticket holder in the Britannia Stand as a boy, Hyam has described his recent starring role in the first team as a “dream come true”.

The 20-year-old is currently keeping out experienced duo Grant Leadbitter and Jimmy Bullard in the heart of the Town midfield.

But he came tantalisingly close to being bombed out of his home-town club after not featuring once during Paul Jewell’s first 12 months in charge.

Hyam admitted: “I was pretty close to leaving on loan. Before playing in the Hull (FA Cup) game, I was definitely expecting things to materialise as there were a few clubs I could have gone out on loan to.

“Sometimes I thought my football might lie elsewhere, but I thought if I keep working hard, you never know. It is a funny game, there are highs and lows and you can be in and out of the team. Now I want to stay here as long as possible.”

Hyam first came to attention at the start of last season when Roy Keane thrust the unknown teenager into the heart of his midfield.

But after suffering injury and a loss of form, Hyam had to wait 14 months before getting his next chance – in last month’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Hull.

He has not looked back since as he looks to prove to Jewell he is the future of the club.

And after England scout Alan Cork and Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce were both seen at the last two Town matches, there has even been talk of a international call-up.

But the former Northgate High School pupil said: “Obviously it is a nice thing to say but I am just concentrating on my football. I just want to do well for Ipswich and then whatever happens, happens.”

Hyam has started five of the last six matches, a period which has coincided with an upturn in Town’s fortunes, and fans love having an Ipswich boy to cheer.

He said: “Nothing beats it. Every footballer wants to play for his home-town club and I love playing for Ipswich. I was a season-ticket holder. Watching them play, I wondered if I would ever get a chance to play for my team. But the dream has come true.”