Keeper Richard Wright’s third spell with the Blues has come to an end after the 34-year-old was told he would not be offered a new contract for next season. The former England keeper signed a short-term deal in November having spent the early part of the season training with the Town squad, but made only one appearance, the 3-2 home defeat to Reading.

Wright, who spoke with manager Paul Jewell this afternoon, told the club site that he intends to keep playing: "I had a chat with the gaffer and we talked about my ambitions and I told him they were simple - I want to carry on playing.

"I feel as fit as I've ever done. I've worked hard in training and I want to play matches. I had a little niggle in my knee a few weeks back, but it's proved to be nothing and generally I've been really happy with my fitness this season.

"I've enjoyed every day out on the training ground working with [goalkeeping coach] Malcolm [Webster] and the other keepers. The only disappointment is that like every player, I want to be out there on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon and that's not really happened enough for me lately."

Ipswich-born Wright, who went on trial with MLS side Dallas FC without being offered terms in January, says his summer will be spent searching for a new club: "The gaffer has said that he couldn't offer me anything and I understand that. Now it's down to me to win a contract elsewhere because I want to carry on playing."

Wright's departure, along with those of loanee Alex McCarthy and youngster Cody Cropper, means that Arran Lee-Barrett is the only keeper contracted beyond June 30th. The Blues would appear likely to look to recruit two glovesmen during the summer.

Photo: Action Images

Crock added 19:48 - Apr 26 Idiotic to release Wright but keep Barrat who is a much poorer goalkeeper.
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rosseden added 19:52 - Apr 26 ''We release the best English goalkeeper currently playing'' Really, wtf are you on about?!! i want some of whatever youve been having.....
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alfromcol added 19:52 - Apr 26 Daleyitfc added 19:26 - Apr 26 We release the best English goalkeeper currently playing : good move. He has another 5 years in him at this level, easily. WHAT?
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kerryblue added 19:57 - Apr 26 Richard wright bag of sh!te
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townietilidie added 20:09 - Apr 26 Just ignore anything Daleyitfc has to say , he's a muppet . Looks like he has an understudy in Crock . It hurts me to say it but its obvious Wrighty has past his best and would hopefully be able to hold down a place in league 1/2 and play out his last days and enjoy it . Been a very good pro over the years and wish him all the best in wherever he goes but it is time to bring in some hungry youngsters ...

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carsey added 20:18 - Apr 26 Wrighty should never have left to chase the dollar he was much better off here. Would like to see him play one more time for town before he leaves.
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siebdykstra added 20:35 - Apr 26 The correct decision. He should be remembered for his early years and should either have never left or been resigned. It seems as though whenever a top quality player moves on to a bigger club they don't do too well! In my time as a Town fan I can immediately think of Dozzell, Kiwomya,Dyer and Wright. I'm sure there's more, the only one I can think of doing well is Darren Bent. My biggest issue is negotiations. Clubs will now know we are short of a decent keeper, so will up their price. Either that or we'll be competing with other clubs who could offer more. There are plenty of options out there, but as our situation with keepers is rather desperate, it means we may have to spend a sizable chunk of the funds available on a new keeper. This will mean we are scratching around for some new defenders, a couple of midfielders and a striker.

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marcus139 added 20:41 - Apr 26 Why do people keep referring to Sindre posts recently? I see nothing remarkable in what he/she says at all! Just a valid viewpoint. If it continues I may need to set up a DaleyITFC fan club as a counterbalance....!
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petermorris added 20:43 - Apr 26 So, we have a new keeper coming in with ALB as excellent cover. Good stuff.
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bedsitfc added 20:51 - Apr 26 cant say i am surprised, good keeper in his day not a bad one now but we need to put together a younger squad. that will grow together.
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runaround added 21:00 - Apr 26 All the best Wrighty. Such a shame his career has gone wrong but moves at the wrong time plus injuries have taken their toll. Will still go down as a top keeper for ITFC though
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StanwayBlue added 21:24 - Apr 26 I will always believe that had he stayed in 2001 we would not have been relgated. He, and Town, have never been the same but I think his agent might be richer!
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RaymondovicBlue added 21:25 - Apr 26 Agree - Wrighty should play on Saturday. No brainer. He deserves a send off - he came here because he was asked - even if he was not asked anywhere else. Hopefully it will be a standing ovation for what he achieved in spells one and two - and good grace for his career. (Agree - he should NEVER have gone to Arsenal's bench, nor Everton's bench, nor everyone else's. If he had stayed here - he would prob still be our number one keeper and with regular games instead of bench warming, who knows more England caps. He is the one that got away, sadly - and I don't even fish!!!

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rosseden added 21:25 - Apr 26 he'll hold his own at league one level and maybe get back up to championship again....... hopefully he finds a deal somewhere, with the new financial rules though he might struggle.... russia / china / USA might work better...... he could go with Pablo to Thailand or wherever he's gone.......
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wewerefamous added 21:44 - Apr 26 Went for the big bucks and who can blame him. Shame really as he was part of the dream team that put us back in the big time. Looking back few of us could have imagined we would end up where we are now.
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StowTractorBoy added 22:00 - Apr 26 Not a surprise to me especially if he can't oust ALB out of the team. We now need 2 goalkeepers for next season preferably in front of ALB. Good luck Richard Wright but as others have said you moved from us far too early in the first place.
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Bluetone added 22:25 - Apr 26 Will the last player to leave take Jewell with you and switch off the lights.
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mightytown added 22:42 - Apr 26 Can't argue really. but we have released now, sonko, bowyer, wright and cropper... leadbitter likely to go and although i'm excited as it does seem jewell and co. have something planned in regard to recruititng players for next season. but, are we looking at yet another squad overhaul? I guess moving certain players on frees up wages for new players in, but we could be looking at bringing in another 8-10 players rather then 5-6 for a bit of tweaking. still if it means were moving in the right direction then i will remain an optimist. however, think it will be another 2-3 seasons before were properly back in the playoff hunt.

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AlanMahon2011 added 23:00 - Apr 26 Now that Wright has gone we can not try and resign Cody Cropper!
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braveblue added 23:03 - Apr 26 Do not understand why we signed him and spent the money. PJ was never going to play him.
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tractorboy2434 added 23:14 - Apr 26 "We must have something planned" don't make me laugh, Jewell has nothing planned, he never has, no plan A or plan B, nothing other than a few out of contract and some panicky loans come August, this clubs planning is non existent
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algarvefan added 23:50 - Apr 26 Wrighty can't play one last game he's out for the rest of the season! In any case I for one wish him all the best in whatever he does next, think he still has a good few years in him and think we have made a mistake getting rid, only a couple of seasons ago he was our best player. Agree he seems to be injury prone, buta good back up AND an ITFC legend from the Burley era. Good Luck matey :)

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Keaneish added 00:19 - Apr 27 Christ! We must be confident of signing a keeper then! Looks like we'll be looking at a lot more utility type players going forward like Ward, Green etc...
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johnnyTGrotten added 01:09 - Apr 27 See you next season probably
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MonterreyBlue added 01:10 - Apr 27 I will always remember Wrighty for a save he made from Shearer in an FA Cup reply away to Blackburn, absolutely incredible. We were sat right behind the goal, without doubt the best save ive ever seen live. Many will remember im sure Paul Mason popping in the winner!! Wrighty, a legend of the Burley era but moved on to soon.... many happy memories of the lad and good luck to you.

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