Mick McCarthy says Teddy Bishop needs to put in more effort to win back his first-team spot at Portman Road.

The 20-year-old burst onto the scene during the 2014-15 season and played a key role in the Blues’ march to the play-off semi-finals.

However, the midfielder has been dogged by injury ever since, making just eight starts since May 2015.

Bishop’s ability has seen him linked with a Premier League move, but McCarthy says talent alone will not guarantee him a place – the youngster having been left out of the last two matchday squads.

“He didn’t have a day off on Wednesday (after Brighton), fair play to him,” said McCarthy.

“He came in and did extra work, he did it today (yesterday) and that’s the only way he is going to get back in (the squad).

“That the same with everybody, they’re good players but they have got to do that little bit extra.”

Bishop has been sidelined this season, with nose and ankle injuries, but is now injury-free.

“I am going to give him a slight window of opportunity, an excuse, because when you have had the injuries, what you don’t want to do is over-train and get injured again,” McCarthy explained.

“But you have got to strike that happy balance; ‘Am I over-training or do I need to that bit extra than the lads that have played for 30 games’. They are battle-hardened and can tolerate it

“He is a wonderful talent and I want him back in the team and I am sure he does himself.

McCarthy could be without skipper Luke Chambers (cracked rib) tomorrow, and will definitely be missing the talents of Jonny Williams (shoulder) and Tom Lawrence (suspended).

They have become fans’ favourites in recent times, just like Bishop did when he first emerged.

“He (Bishop) has had the adulation when he has been playing,” McCarthy said.

“It is two years ago that he played Middlesbrough and ripped them apart and Aitor Karanka was waxing lyrical about him like everyone else.”

On getting back in the team, McCarthy added: “It’s made it harder still for him as Toums (Toumani Diagouraga) and Emyr Huws have come in, and Grant Ward has been excellent.

“It’s a challenge for him and he’s got to scrap it out.”