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.