Keeper Richard Wright insists he’s still able to perform at Championship level. The 34-year-old was back on the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Barnsley as deputy to Arran Lee-Barrett after Alex McCarthy's recall by Reading.

Wright, who is contracted to the Blues until the end of the season, told the club site: "I've kept myself in tip-top condition and I know I can still perform at this level.

"[Goalkeeper-coach] Malcolm [Webster] has been working me really hard in training and I'm fit and ready if called upon.

"Arran has the shirt at the minute, but he knows he's got me breathing down his neck for that starting place.

“I haven't given up on playing,” added Wright, who spent time on trial with MLS side Dallas FC earlier in the year, “I want to play as many games as possible and I've just got to keep working hard in training and showing the gaffer what I can do."

But despite still looking to get back in the Town side, the former England, Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Sheffield United man, is starting to think about what he’ll do after his playing days: "I'm doing my coaching badges at the moment. Taking up a role as a goalkeeping coach is something to consider in the long-term."

Wright has made one appearance since rejoining his hometown club for a third spell in November.

Photo: Action Images

trueblue1970 added 20:01 - Apr 3 No !
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RetroBlue added 20:02 - Apr 3 No Thanks!
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jas0999 added 20:07 - Apr 3 Although I accept that PJ favours injury prone has been players - surely even he will draw the line at selecting Richard Wright! terrible handling of the GK situation this season - we can only hope that PJ does a proper job and signs a decent No.1 in the Summer.
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RetroBlue added 20:08 - Apr 3 Terrible handling of the whole defence situation for years !
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AlanMahon2011 added 20:14 - Apr 3 AHAHAHAHAH Keep dreaming Richard
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stu_ward27 added 20:22 - Apr 3 would rather have Wrighty in goal than ALB!!!
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Dale added 20:25 - Apr 3 The best keeper at the club.
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footyblue added 20:30 - Apr 3 Put Cropper on the bench
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blueblood66 added 20:48 - Apr 3 Love ya Rich, wold be great to see you back.
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Yallop added 20:56 - Apr 3 He's better than Benny Hill (ALB)
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RetroBlue added 21:02 - Apr 3 Suspect Wrighty is way past his sell by date now tbh. Town simply do not have a decent senior GK at the Club, nor any decent CB's or a RB either let alone cover for each of these positions!
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Karlosfandangal added 21:04 - Apr 3 Would like to see Wright play for the club again as after over 300 games for the club he should be able to say goodbye to the fans and vice versa as he has served the club so well
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Mark added 21:14 - Apr 3 It doesn't seem to be to do with age, as 34 isn't old for a goalkeeper and Wright has been going downhill for years except for his first season back at Ipswich. Perhaps all the years on Premier League substitutes benches have caught up with him, and maybe he should have prioritised playing.
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Daleyitfc added 21:24 - Apr 3 I don't get people on here : Richard Wright remains not only the best goalkeeper we have, but the best English goalkeeper still playing - his should be the first name on the England team-sheet for the Euros. When he returned here for his 2nd spell he was outstanding, and only lost his place the next season because brain-dead Keane wanted his own man in.
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newburyblue added 21:35 - Apr 3 Although I think Daleyitfc may be a bit OTT to suggest Wright is better than Hart, Robinson, Foster etc. I certainly wouldn't have a problem sticking him in for the remainder of the season. ALB is a No.2 and always will be and you never know Wright could end up rolling back the years and save us a bit of money in the summer. As Mark has suggested 34 is relatively young for a keeper when you look at Schwarzer & Friedel who are close to 40 and still playing in the Prem. No harm in trying while we're in this situation of not going up or down.

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Marcus added 21:39 - Apr 3 Why do people keep slating the defence? Yes they were a mess earlier this season but they seem to be working better as a unit now especially with more midfield cover. Sure they're not world class but I'd argue on current form they're at least playoff class. Yes we really need an experienced right footer and a right back. Old news. We also need a first choice keeper, however I'm happy with ALB and plug as cover, I do suspect the problem with plug is his wages more than anything. I don't tho I he's lost any ability although there's been a clear loss in confidence.

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fussysnake added 21:55 - Apr 3 Positive comments from Wright, and a good back up! hes only 34, which isnt actually that old for a goalkeeper as long as he keeps fit!
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sherborneblue added 21:58 - Apr 3 Cropper please.
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tellitasiseeit added 22:52 - Apr 3 Thought Wright was off to the USA at the end of the Season? waste of Ipswich's time.Much better to try out Cropper if he is fully fit.See he has had two win's out of two for the under 18s the first first time they have won since Nov last year. ALB has earned his place in the team weather it's number 1 or 2 I do not know? Time to give Cropper his chance if fully fit

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taylor15 added 22:53 - Apr 3 how is he better than ALB?! oh dear, some fans are f**king blind.
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Morgan added 22:56 - Apr 3 Best keeper at the club despite age, should have been playing long before we started looking at loan signings.
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Edinburgh_Blue added 23:47 - Apr 3 @Daleyitfc. Surely you're not serious?! Your picture tells me you are but....really.....? Wrighty is second only to Cooper when it comes to Town keepers imo BUT, that was a long time ago. He should be in his prime as a 34 year old keeper but he lost his confidence years ago and sadly, is pretty much finished now. MLS seems about his level for next season.
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mutters added 23:52 - Apr 3 Who knows if he still has it? Only way is to give him a go. PJ sees him in training every day and if he doesnt feel Wrighty is good enough then give Cropper a go. ALB sadly is not good enough to be our #1 GK next, whereas Wrighty MAY still have it or Cropper may have it. Lets give one of them a go
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VanIsleBlue added 01:09 - Apr 4 What a thrill it should be having two goalkeepers who grew up supporting the club and are both from Ipswich...this is never going to happen again, enjoy it
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Lukeybluey added 07:43 - Apr 4 Weird that i emailed Steve McCall about a another keeper to look at, then Wrighty come's out with this! Coincidence...?
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