Colby Bishop pinpoints Portsmouth's 'Championship player' as eye-catching form continues at Derby

The central defender has been a revelation since arriving on a free transfer from Lincoln, yet was horrified after conceding a late penalty against Derby.

Tom Barkhuizen’s cross from the right bounced up and struck Poole on the arm, allowing substitute James Collins to net a penalty in the 85th minute.

Thankfully, Bishop then registered his fourth of the season in the fifth minute of time added-on as the Blues snatched a dramatic point in a 1-1 draw.

And afterwards, the goal hero was quick to praise the contributions of Poole.

He told The News: ‘Regan’s brilliant, I think he has been absolutely outstanding.

‘He really shines out and is going to have a very, very good season.

‘I’ve played against him before and he’s difficult to play against. When I heard he was coming here, I thought “What a signing that is”.

‘I played against him when he was at right-back and I was drifting onto him, and against him at centre-half, and he has always given me a tough time.

‘He’s aggressive, good on the ball, he’s athletic, makes good decisions, what more do you want from a centre-half?

‘Regan’s a Championship player, a lot of this squad is good enough to play in the Championship.

‘He’s more than capable and luckily enough is here and helping us.’

Poole was among 14 summer signings at Fratton Park, yet arguably has so far made the biggest impact consistently.

Certainly Lincoln fans expected him to find a Championship destination after rejecting a new contract to become a free agent, but instead arrived on the south coast.

Bishop added: ‘He has made a difference and has done well.

‘If he keeps doing what he did on Saturday, that's unreal and can only benefit us in what we want to achieve at this club.’