“It has been huge to have him back,” admitted Pompey’s assistant manager Jon Harley after Bishop inspired a 3-0 win over Bristol City last weekend.
“He’s made one and scored one. He’s a constant threat. The last couple of years he has scored a hell of a lot of goals. He almost guarantees you goals. You are always backing him to score or pop up with something.
“He’s a player you would hate to play against but if you have him on your team, it is like having a mountain. He’s been a big miss.”
Bishop’s value to Portsmouth was never in doubt, but their struggles in his absence have only highlighted his importance.
Signed from Accrington for £500,000 in 2022, the 28-year-old has bagged 47 goals in 103 appearances for Pompey and was their top scorer in each of the past two campaigns.
Last year’s tally of 21 earned a place in the League One team of the season as John Mousinho’s side sealed a long-awaited return to the Championship.
Yet such adulation was a world away when Bishop was released by Notts County as a teenager.
Denne historien er fra December 15, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 15, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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