Timely player boost emerges for Sunderland | OneFootball

Bailey Wright’s future at Sunderland looks uncertain, but Lee Johnson is relieved to have him back in contention, with the defender expected to be involved in their penultimate friendly against Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday evening.

Johnson, who knows Wright well from when he played under him at Bristol City, spoke of his faith in the centre back in an interview with the Sunderland Echo.

He said: “I don’t think the new ownership have seen the best of Bailey Wright, in terms of, he’s got to do better than the last ten games of last season. At the same time, he can, and he was a real warrior in that time because he’d been out for nine or ten weeks and then came in and had about ten games on the spin.

“We also know what he brings off the pitch more than anyone, he’s a fantastic human being and a great leader for us. I know there’s more to come.”

The 24-time Australia international is one of the most dependable members of the Black Cats’ squad, more of a no nonsense defender than the likes of Jordan Willis and Tom Flanagan and a key senior head of the side with 296 games on the clock at Championship and League One level combined.

The 28-year-old has not featured since the club’s 2-2 draw with Spennymoor Town at the beginning of pre-season, having been ruled out with a groin problem.

With his importance to the squad Johnson was not taking any chances, now bringing him back in for the penultimate friendly is good timing, eased into what is expected to be mainly a second string eleven. As the prospect of Wigan Athletic’s visit to the Stadium of Light on August 7 looms large, Wright needs to hit the ground running.

The Verdict

It is reaching desperation for Sunderland now as they enter their fourth consecutive season in League One.

The departures of Chris Maguire, Josh Scowen, Max Power and Charlie Wyke, the latter two to Wigan Athletic, have not gone unnoticed and a significant rebuild is needed if they are to be competitive for automatic promotion. Alex Pritchard and Corry Evans are sensible additions but there is a lack of attacking firepower outside of Aiden McGeady, adding further importance to their defensive solidity.

Wright would be a useful player in their promotion bid, with unwavering commitment despite being in the last year of his contract.

22 things all Sunderland fans simply must know – But do you?

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In what year were Sunderland formed?

1879

1889

1899

1909