Teddy Bishop has become the latest Ipswich Town player to be hailed as Premier League quality as the Blues continue their surge up the Championship table.

The rapid progress of powerful young left-back Tyrone Mings is being closely monitored by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton, while classy striker David McGoldrick was the subject of a £7.5m bid from Leicester back in August.

Now, with Mick McCarthy’s men up to second in the table following the club’s best 19-game start to a season in a decade, skilful teenage midfielder Bishop has been tipped for the top by impressed team-mate Cole Skuse.

“I think he could play in the Premier League tomorrow,” said Skuse. “I’m not saying I want somebody to come and sign him tomorrow – he can stay here for the time being! I’m just saying I think he could play in the Premier League tomorrow because he’s that good.”

Bishop missed a lot of youth team football through injury last season and the 18-year-old has had to be carefully managed during his impressive breakthrough campaign at senior level.

He sat out last weekend’s dramatic 1-0 win at Charlton with a hip problem but is set to return to the fold for Saturday’s visit of Leeds to Portman Road.

“I was talking about Bish the first day I turned up here,” said Skuse. “I was chatting to Bryan Klug, the academy director, and I asked him if there were any lads coming through that he really had his eye on and he told me about Teddy Bishop. I was told he was a real player.

“This season he’s really caught my eye. For such a young lad he’s really brave and courageous in terms of getting on the ball. It’s his first touch and the way he glides with the ball.

“And for such a slight lad he’s quite wiry and strong. He really twists me and the other lads up in knots in training.”

Skuse continued: “He’s a lovely guy. He takes a bit of stick, all in good heart. The lads have been dragging him into the dressing room banter.

“He always wants to listen and learn.

“Before every game he says to me ‘just talk me through it.’ He’s an exciting talent.”