LUKE Hyam remains unmoved, even though he has been forced down the midfield pecking order at Portman Road.

The Ipswich Town youngster started the Blues’ first four games of the season, including the opening day 3-1 home win against Bristol Rovers in the League Cup.

However, he came off injured at the interval during the 1-1 home draw against Barnsley last month and has not featured since, despite boss Paul Jewell stressing at the start of the season that he planned on giving youth a chance.

The arrivals of Nigel Reo-Coker (three-month deal), Richie Wellens (one-month loan) and Guirane N’Daw (season-long loan), added to the temporary signing in the summer of Massimo Luongo, has further dented the 20-year-old’s prospects.

But far from being deflated by the situation, the former Northgate High School pupil has welcomed the additions of Reo-Coker and Wellens, in particular, who have been drafted in by Jewell this month to add more nous to the engine room.

“The likes of Nigel, Richie and DJ (Campbell) are top quality players and that can only be good for competition,” insisted Hyam, who has made 28 appearances for the Blues since his debut in 2010.

“It doesn’t bother me that the manager is bringing in players for my position, I will just keep fighting and see what happens.

“I think the new additions will be good for the team and make the rest of the squad play better.

“Personally, all I can do is learn from the likes of Richie and Nigel.

“Nigel has played in the Premier League for many years and Richie is a very good Championship player.”

Hyam is not on his own in losing his place and the next casualty is likely to be goalkeeper Scott Loach, who after making high-profile errors in the home defeat to Cardiff, looks set to stand aside for another new loanee, West Ham United goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

“I think Loachy is a bit disappointed but I am sure he will keep working hard and he will be fighting for his place on Saturday (at Hull),” added Hyam, who believes the players will return refreshed after their break during the international period.

“We had this last weekend off and I think the players needed it. Mentally we needed it.

“We are not doing too well at the moment but we have been creating chances and have just been a bit unlucky.

“Vice-versa at the other end, we keep on conceding sloppy goals but that’s how football goes.

“Once we start getting that bit of luck I am sure we will earn three or four victories on the bounce and start to move up the Championship table.”

Town have lost five and drawn three of their last eight games and are currently floundering in 23rd place in the Championship with manager Jewell’s position coming under increasing scrutiny.

But Hyam feels the Blues have the tools to get out of trouble.

“Everyone gets on well and there are no rifts,” said Hyam.

“They are just rumours about the manager, and we are just concentrating on getting three points.”