PLAYER PROFILE

Richard Wright

Position: Goal

Height: 6'2

Weight: 13st 0lbs

Date of Birth: 1977-11-05 Ipswich, England

Richard Wright

Having progressed through the same youth academy that produced talents like Kieron Dyer, a 17-year-old Wright made his full first team Ipswich debut on May 6, 1995 against Coventry. The 6ft 2in shot stopper kept a clean sheet that day and won over the Town coaching staff, who didn't hesitate in giving him more and more first team exposure.

Wright's England career has progressed nicely in tandem with his reputation over the past few years, starting with the youth team and making appearances at under-21 and 'B' levels. His first senior cap came against Malta in June 2000. His last international appearance was in the 2-0 defeat by Holland in August 2001, as a second-half substitute. He just missed out on Sven Goran Eriksson's World Cup 2002 squad, but given that the three 'keepers selected were all over 30, Wright's time must soon come.

Wright was instrumental in Ipswich's extraordinary success in their first season back in the Premiership, with his commanding presence in the box and shot stopping ability soaking up a great deal of pressure from the defence - qualities that convinced Arsene Wenger to make the young England star his target for Seaman's long-term replacement.

His first season with Arsenal brought mixed fortunes, as he had the chance to make the first team spot his own after an injury to David Seaman, but Wright also got injured, and missed out, with Stuart Taylor taking his place. Seaman's impressive form meant that Wright was mostly limited to FA Cup appearances. There was further disappointment for him, when Seaman was selected ahead of him in the Cup Final.

As it turned out, that was the final straw for Wright, who left Highbury in the summer, moving to Everton to get the regular first team football that he needs to challenge for an England place. He soon made the number 1 shirt his own at Goodison, and despite a few costly errors, 2002/03 was a good season for him, though international football still looks a long way off.

The following season was disappointing for Wright, who played just four games before being struck down with a mysterious knee injury which sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.

Wright was fully fit in time for the start of the 2004/05 season but faced a battle to regain his place in the side, from the impressive Nigel Martyn. He played only 12 games (one of which the drastic 7-0 defeat away to Arsenal) in the campaign, keeping 2 clean sheets, as Martyn became David Moyes' goalkeeper of choice.

Injuries and poor form again restricted his appearances, though he had a good run in the team in Spring 2006. However, Everton won only five of the sixteen games Wright played in during 2005/06, and the arrival of Tim Howard from Manchester United meant he stayed on the substitutes bench until he was snapped up by West Ham in July 2007.