Town boss Mick McCarthy has challenged Teddy Bishop to get back to the form which made him his first choice central midfielder two seasons ago.

The 20-year-old, who broke into the first team in 2014/15 and quickly established himself as a regular, has endured a frustrating time with injuries since then, most recently an ankle problem which he suffered in mid-December.

However, the academy product is fit again but was left out of the 18 at Brighton on Tuesday having travelled with the squad.

“He’s got to get in the 18 and get in the team, show me that’s where he wants to be,” McCarthy told BBC Radio Suffolk following the game at the Amex.

“Two years ago it was Teddy Bishop and somebody else. Well, he’s got to get back to that and I’m hoping that’ll be the case. I know he’s had a lot of time out with injuries but he’s got to get back in.”

Bishop missed all but four games of last season - two starts and two games from the bench in April and May - and has made only six starts and 12 sub appearances this term.

Does McCarthy feel the Cambridge-born youngster has lost his focus? “I don’t know. It does happen, you have an injury and you get down the pecking order.

“Well, the only way to get back up the pecking order is to break your nuts in training and to make sure you’re in my eyeline and TC’s eyeline so we’re going ‘Wow!’.

“Because that’s what happens. If you think it’s just based on matches, that’s impossible, it’s how people are in training on a daily basis. That’s what I judged it on, he’s got to get back in.”

McCarthy, who doesn’t view Bishop as a potential replacement for Tom Lawrence during the Blues’ top scorer’s two-game absence through suspension having reached 10 bookings, added: “I want him back in, I want him with that hunger, that desire to be back in my team and to be the best player in it because he has the ability to be that.”

Photo: TWTD

Pilgrimblue added 12:32 - Feb 16 As a friend of mine says " Dougy must be doing a lot of DIY at MM's place in Bromley to keep him in the team". I've not seen any evidence on the field that would put Dougy ahead of Bish. It's going to be a tough game this weekend and will be won by the team that controls the middle. If MM trusts that to Skuglas then we'll be the losers. Happy to see Skuse back for Dave but that's all.

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EastKentBlue added 12:40 - Feb 16 Mick's comments make absolute sense, until you remember he has persisted with Skuglus forthe whole season...if Bishop cannot get a chance ahead of him, to try and get the form back, then there is no hope.
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midastouch added 12:59 - Feb 16 Didn't somebody say he played a blinder against Watford in the 8 nil thrashing? If so what more is he meant to do in order to force himself in the first team picture? Surely Teddy has to be a better option than Douglas! If we are losing 1 nil and chasing a game I'd much rather chance my hand with Bishop from the bench than "Not So Different" Class Dougie!
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walberblue added 14:24 - Feb 16 what a shock talented ball playing homegrown player fails to develop under MM and TC? you can add his name to about 40 other players MM has signed and discarded. and its always the players fault.
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bluebare added 14:29 - Feb 16 needs to stop going out on the piss in Cambridge most nights
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walberblue added 14:30 - Feb 16 Why haven't we paid up Douglas's contract and thanked him for his efforts. he's not going to be here next year we're not going to get relegated. start to give the younger players a chance. apparently its good for kenlock and Emmanuel to get experience but not bishop??
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Hegansheroes added 16:27 - Feb 16 This doesn't surprise me at all. Saw Bishop a while back with some other Town players doing a hospital visit and Bishop seemed more intent on looking at himself in the glass of some of the corridors than doing what he was there for. Hope he doesn't turn into another Scott Carson who I also thought had great potential. Needs to knuckle down by the sounds of it.
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warktheline added 16:46 - Feb 16 McCarthy stifles all young players with natural ability. Our youth system won't work with him at the helm, and yes I have noticed the couple of young lads currently in favour, due in my opinion, through injuries and desperation, but believe me, these lads make one mistake, and he'll hook um out and revert back to type! Watch this space! Give him a 'good seasoned pro' every day of the week!!!

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Seasider added 17:21 - Feb 16 It could l be true what the Manager says,but to do this in public?Will it gee him up or have the opposite effect,we shall see. It is rare for him to do this to be honest,and only McCarthy knows why has chosen to do it. Most players he has publicly criticized like JET,Paul Taylor,Stewart and Best have been out the door afterwards.Leon would have been were it not that he had another injury towards the end of the window when Micks mate'Colin' was interested taking him to Cardiff;as he had done well for him at Rotherham towards the end of last season. Never done this with Douglas or Skues though !.Didn't think 'Deadly' had an influence on Tuesday for Toums, as Mick calls the Frenchman as Town hardly got out of their half in last 20minutes.Douglas was at fault with Leeds goal last season and think it was Diagouraga who scored. Hope same 2-1 scoreline (or better) Expect Skues to play.

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