League One outfit Portsmouth are firmly in the race for exiled Ipswich Town midfielder Teddy Bishop, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.

The 24-year-old was highly rated at Portman Road in his younger days, coming through the youth system and making his professional debut at the club when he was just 18 in August 2014, going on to make an impressive 33 appearances that season.

However, he didn't feature too heavily for the Tractor Boys since that campaign up until last season, where he appeared in the third tier 36 times, scoring four goals and picking up four assists in the process.

But despite this impressive comeback, manager Paul Cook is intent on a major rebuild this summer and as part of this demolition job, Bishop was told by the Liverpudlian that he could find a new club this summer, despite triggering a one-year extension in May.

As part of Cook's plans to transform and prepare his new squad ahead of their League One opener against Morecambe next month, the 24-year-old has been sent to train with the Under-23s alongside other senior players, who are set to leave Suffolk this summer.

Former Crystal Palace target Flynn Downes is one of them, with fellow exiled player Jack Lankester already securing a move to Cambridge United.

Bishop has not been so lucky - but the East Anglian Daily Times are reporting Pompey, MK Dons, Hearts and Lincoln City are all interested in acquiring his services, with the latter said to be leading the race.

As per the same report, Michael Appleton's side are keen on getting a deal done and with the Imps narrowly missing out on promotion to Blackpool last term, it could be a tempting move for Bishop.

However, the deal is not secured yet and with Danny Cowley's side also promotion contenders next year, a move to the south coast isn't out of the question.

Whether they can agree on a fee with Ipswich is another issue, but with just one year left on his deal and Bishop surplus to requirements at Portman Road, a cut-price deal could be available for the side that gets there first.

And Paul Cook won't want the 24-year-old to hang around for the start of the season.