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

patrickswell added 02:35 - Apr 27 Does anyone else feel that Wright's career is destined to be remembered as one of the great lost opportunities? I think one reason his second spell went so poorly was that he spent too much time as a reserve at Arsenal, Everton, West Ham etc. In that Burley side he could have gone on to become our record appearance holder, I'm sure. I just checked on Wikipedia and this stat sums up Richard's career perfectly: Town appearances from 1995-2001 = 240 Appearances for various clubs since 2001 = 160. What a waste.

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Behind_Enemy_Lines added 02:52 - Apr 27 @Blue041273 we now have a new plan A 2.0, which if that does not work then its back to plan A 1.5 ABANDON SHIP !!!!! have to agree with above comment would be nice to see him play sunday as a kind of send off even if its an away game. good luck wrighty and thanks for the memories.
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afrodids added 04:04 - Apr 27 ellington and leadboots next please!!!
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DiamondGezzer added 07:22 - Apr 27 The " too soon " move to the Arsenal [ bench ] landed him on the downward spiral from which he has never recovered. For all concerned, a great pity. All the very best for your future career and your family.
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 09:50 - Apr 27 We could come a cropper over this next season :)
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paristractor added 10:53 - Apr 27 arse
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buryblue77 added 14:34 - Apr 27 h32, I heard that Clegg wears about a size 18! Good luck Wrighty, brilliant for us first time around, not too bad second considering he'd not played a lot of football over the six years before joining us but has become injury prone (he played one game this time and was injured a lot of it too, so is clearly struggling with training, let along game time) If it were not for the injuries (and we also don't know if he wants to try and find himself regular football even if it's in League one or abroad) I would have liked to see him stay on as he would be good back up with ALB, but not a lot of point if he can't stay fit.

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