Paul Anderson has joined the chorus of praise for teenager Teddy Bishop, who caught the eye in his home debut against Millwall at the weekend.
Cambridge-born Bishop, who only turned 18 two months ago, followed up his first senior start in the 1-1 draw at Derby with another impressive display that captured the hearts of the Portman Road faithful.
Anderson said: "Last season, if I’m right, I think he had a slight injury problem at the start of the season and when you’re a young lad, still growing and developing, it’s not always easy to just go straight into first team football from the U18s after being injured.
"There is no doubt he’s a great talent with lots of ability and there are another couple of U21 lads who may be forcing their way towards our first team. With so many young players pushing their way into contention we’ve all got to watch our backs a little bit!
"Teddy’s a great quality player and it’s obviously good for the club that they are producing young players who are going to be putting a bit of pressure on the first team. He’s a very good player and fully deserved to keep his starting place because he stood out at Derby.
"It was really good that the manager retained his belief in him to give him another opportunity against Millwall when he was fantastic. He created our first goal, which was key for us at the time. Yes, he’s still got a lot to learn — but haven’t we all?”
Anderson accepts there will be added competition for places this season with the likes of Cameron Stewart and Stephen Hunt returning from injury and Darren Ambrose back in the fold after agreeing a short-term deal through to January.
He added: "You can look at it two ways. You can maybe take it negatively and think to yourself ‘I might not be playing this week’ or you can take it as a positive that you are a member of such a strong squad full of quality players.
"I’m big on the squad and I think you can tell from the way that I play that I’ll do anything for the team. I know there will be some games when I don’t play — the manager will rotate it — and it’s nice to have a good squad of players.
"If I’m not needed, say, for one game you can rely on the likes of Cameron or Stephen to come in and do a job. Darren is another one looking to take my position, so it’s nice for the manager to have various options.
"As far as I’m concerned it would be nice if it was just me and no one else but it’s the way football has become and I’m just pleased to be involved in such a good squad.”