Town midfielder Teddy Bishop is aiming to win a new Blues contract during the second half of the season.

The 22-year-old spent most of the last three campaigns on the sidelines after a hugely impressive breakthrough season in 2014/15 as Town made the play-offs.

But the Cambridge-based academy product finally appears to be over his injury problems and is targeting a new deal, the Blues having taken a one-year option on his previous terms last summer.

“It was worrying [last season] because I hadn’t played a lot of football and the hamstring injury [picked up in his only start against QPR on Boxing Day] meant I was out for the rest of the season, so it was almost as though I didn’t warrant a new contract,” he told the club programme for Saturday’s victory over Rotherham.

“At the same time it felt a bit unfair because it wasn’t my fault. The club took the option and now I’m in the same situation again this season, being out of contract this year.

“I will just keep doing my best for the team when I get a chance and hopefully everything will sort itself out and I’ll get a new deal.”

Reflecting further on his situation last season, he added: “I left it with my agent. That’s his job. He was really good. It went on into the summer but he said that if Ipswich didn’t want me there were other clubs out there.

“The difference this season, hopefully, is that I’m fit and I have a chance to show what I can do over the rest of the season.

“The target is to help the club stay up but personally I want to win a new contract as well because I want to stay here. I’ve been here since age seven, 15 years or so. It’s my club.”

Regarding his progress this season, Bishop added: “My training has been a lot more regular and that has helped. I have not missed any sessions.

“I have done a lot of work in the gym with the physios as well. So it’s all coming together now and I feel good.

“Confidence comes in two ways though - confidence in your ability and confidence in your body.

“Previously when I have been injured before it’s been when I have been sprinting most of the time so when I came back I was wary about that.

“I had to get back into a confident state in my mind with that and then it’s gaining that confidence in my ability as well. That comes with playing games.”

Bishop, who so far has made two starts and three sub appearances this season, admits there were low periods during his long spells in the treatment room: “There were times when I thought ‘I don’t want to do this any more’.

“It runs through your head. With the right support though, I got through it.

“I felt I was one big injury away from calling it a day. Friends, family and my agent all helped me keep going through the bad days.

“Having missed so much football I feel like I have got to make up for lost time now.

“My agent said to me that the years I have missed I have had no strain on my body so I will get them back at the end of my career.

“Hopefully my injuries are out of the way now and I can play until my late 30s.”

Photo: TWTD

bluearmy78 added 22:24 - Jan 15 I hope he gets a new contract, if he stays fit I think he has loads to offer us. COYB
13

boroughblue added 22:34 - Jan 15 I would love nothing more then to see Teddy really kick on and earn a new contract in the scene half of the season. The thing with him now is he's not a kid anymore, he can't just be potential, he needs to show what he can do. I want to see it, theres a very good player in Teddy if we can keep him fit. All the best lad!
9

blueboy1981 added 22:49 - Jan 15 Get on your bike then Bish - and walk the walk. Over to you, you won't impress Lambert otherwise. Time to step up.
5

grubbyoik added 23:14 - Jan 15 He has shown already this season what a quality player he still is.. We ve been crying out for a creative midfielder.. He needs to be given a good run in the team.. For us to get out of this mess we need a fit Teddy Bishop
4

Saxonblue74 added 23:31 - Jan 15 Give the lad a contract without delay. We've seen what a talent he is and will soon be back to full fitness and form. Get it done so he can concentrate on his football.
3

robmonkey007 added 05:48 - Jan 16 Excellent midfielder at this level and if we do end up league one next season (I'm still hopeful we'll get out of trouble though) would dominate the centre of the park in our promotion push. Definitely need him to stay.
5

BlueySwede added 07:03 - Jan 16 Think he has been really good in his latest appearances and I would definately have brought him on Saturday when we were under the cosh, to get hold of the ball and slow things down a little bit. Maybe he is still not completely match fit? Keep him!
0

carsey added 07:20 - Jan 16 No doubt for me we should be playing Bishop instead of Chalobah. Aside from being one of our own he is a better and more committed player.
1

flimflam added 07:35 - Jan 16 If fit it is a no brainer and is quality on his day. Just needs to prove he is worth a new deal as have been here before. Would hate to see him leave on a free and tear it up for someone else as is worth several million if fit but staying fit seems to be the problem.
0

OwainG1992 added 07:52 - Jan 16 I want and expect him to get a new deal. That being said I wouldn't chuck a contract at him right now. Let's give him a couple months to show Lambert what we know he can do.
0

Kirbmeister added 09:21 - Jan 16 flimflam - is Bishop really worth several million? I know he's been injured a lot but what's he done on the pitch to warrant that price?
2

PositivelyPortman added 09:56 - Jan 16 Carsey - ludicrous statement.
-4

bbg added 10:06 - Jan 16 A gifted player and starter for me too alongside the perfect partner for him in Skuse, but I would trust his manager who sees him every day.
1

jayessess added 10:39 - Jan 16 Kirbmeister - aged 18/19 he was one of the stand out players in a team that finished 6th in the Championship, not so far fetched to say there's a top class footballer in there somewhere, especially given that everyone's been complaining about how cheap Dozzell would be at a hypothetical £5m.
0

Surco72 added 10:41 - Jan 16 I agree with Carsey , would rather see Bishop playing and getting on the ball than Chalobah , we invited a poor Rothertham side on the whole of the second half on Saturday because we couldn't keep the ball and created very little for them to have to defend the whole game . Chalobah will be gone in the summer whatever division we are in , we need to be giving our players games and experience

1

Linkboy13 added 10:47 - Jan 16 Difficult one this a player with so much ability he's been so unlucky with injuries had ample time to get fit Lambert still reluctant to play him which suggests he's still a bit fragile think i would give him a one year deal.
1

bluerico added 11:55 - Jan 16 Quality not in doubt, but fitness an issue. If he can stay fit then a no brainer for a new contract.
0

atty added 12:06 - Jan 16 Undoubted talent. Injury prone- is there such a thing? One year contract to see if he can remain injury free and perform, but obviously must have games.
1

DifferentGravy added 12:52 - Jan 16 Agree with Bluerico. When Teddy came on against AC Stanley we actually began to show some attacking potential. Theres no doubting his ability and it would be fantastic to see him playing regularly again.
1

LonE17Blue added 13:03 - Jan 16 No disrespect, but I was put on SSP and nearly lost my job when I wasn't fit enough for work, and I also thought this was unfair as it wasn't my fault either. However, its great that we are both back doing our jobs. Having you back in the team with a new contact will suit everyone, good luck COYB!
0

blueboy1981 added 13:20 - Jan 16 ........ talent is one thing, being tough enough, and committed, is another. Next season he has to step up - sometimes 'agents' can be a poor influence on players. Bish talks about 'his agent' as if he is the all important item to him - just a reminder Bish, as yet you are not a top line Premiership player, over to you, NOT your agent, as to if you ever will be.
1

blueboy1981 added 13:21 - Jan 16 .......... you haven't even arrived in the Championship yet ..... !!! Knuckle down lad, and make the most of your given talent, whilst you have the chance.
2

Kirbmeister added 14:13 - Jan 16 Jayessess - Dozzell is another one like Bishop. How is he worth £5 million? I'm not saying he hasn't got potential and appreciate he was injured but, apart from scoring on his debut, he's not particularly done anything.
1

inghamspur added 14:35 - Jan 16 Know he's been injured but he really needs to prove himself now. He needs to make himself one of the first names to be put down on the team sheet and then the club will come to him with a contract offer. If he does that then all well & good, if not and there are other clubs willing take him on then it's au revoir.
3

blueboy1981 added 14:58 - Jan 16 ........ flash car, arm out of the window, shades - all before they actually arrive in today's game. In bygone days - all so different - arrive before you acquired anything...... !!!
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