NEW signing Elliott Hewitt will have to wait beyond the start of the season to make his Ipswich Town debut as he continues his recovery from hip surgery.

The 18-year-old defender – who became manager Paul Jewell’s first signing of the summer when he joined from League Two club Macclesfield last month on a three year deal – missed the last few months of the 2011/12 campaign following an operation on his left hip, which was followed by the same surgery procedure on his right side in May.

Elliott’s rehabilitation is now underway but he is not expected to be in contention for a first-team place until October.

“We knew about Elliott’s situation before we completed the deal and it’s no problem,” said Jewell.

“Our medical people spoke to the surgeon and a hip specialist and everyone is pleased with the way he is recovering.

“We will have him working with the rest of the group as soon as he’s at that fitness level but he’s a young lad, one for the future.

“We were tracking him through the whole of last season and we’re delighted to have him here. There were a lot of clubs interested in him. He’s a good player already and he’s only going to get better.”