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

BildestonBlue added 16:03 - Jan 16 It would be a shame to give up on him now, he still has somthing to offer and if/when we are in league 1 we would be lucky to have a player of his ability. Come on Bish, time to stand up and be counted!
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Pecker added 19:09 - Jan 16 I would offer him a deal. Probably our most creative player on our books at the moment.
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warktheline added 20:54 - Jan 16 Ever so easy to shout 'give him a deal'.....that's what the club has been doing for some time now, he 'owes' the club, let's see it on the pitch and although not his fault, no more injuries! Really can't continue in this manner much longer unfortunately!!!
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Bert added 08:46 - Jan 17 Probably gives more to the team than Dozzell. Good to see both fighting for a regular start.
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