Bailey Wright addresses his shortened pre-season at Sunderland and World Cup hopes with Australia

Bailey Wright insists he’s ready when called upon after starting on the bench for Sunderland’s first three Championship matches this season.
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The 30-year-old centre-back had a shortened pre-season after winning promotion with the Black Cats via the play-offs, before helping Australia qualify for this year’s World Cup.

As a result of his international commitments, Wright returned later than the rest of Sunderland’s squad for pre-season but says that hasn’t hindered his preparations.

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The centre-back started every match following Alex Neil’s appointment last season and is likely to be called upon in the coming weeks, following an injury sustained by Sunderland team-mate Daniel Ballard.

Bailey Wright of Australia celebrates their sides victory after a penalty shoot out following the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match between Australia and Peru. Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)Bailey Wright of Australia celebrates their sides victory after a penalty shoot out following the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match between Australia and Peru. Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)
Bailey Wright of Australia celebrates their sides victory after a penalty shoot out following the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match between Australia and Peru. Photo by Mohamed Farag/Getty Images)

“It's not been rushed at all,” Wright told the Echo when asked about his condensed pre-season.

“I would never have changed how things went for myself, not in a million years.

“Ideally you get a bit more of a break and get a bit of a chance to build in to come in but that wasn’t the case.

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“On a personal level a lot of things went really well for me but that’s in the past now, we’re focused on here and obviously my aim is to get myself prepared and to push for a shirt in the starting XI.

“The boys have done really well and you never know what an ideal pre-season is.

“One is playing and training every game and having those 90 minutes under your belt, that wasn’t quite the case for myself but it doesn’t mean I’m not fit and not prepared.”

After being recalled to the Socceroos squad last year, Wright has started Australia’s last three matches, including crucial qualifiers against United Arab Emirates and Peru in June.

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And with a place in the World Cup squad up for grabs, Wright determined to perform for both club and country.

“It’s a funny one for me, of course I have that at the back of my mind,” Wright replied when asked about the World Cup.

“I just naturally know that if I look after myself and do well here things will take care of themselves.

“Of course there is a World Cup to look forward to but I’m looking forward to every game here and if I do that and that works well then hopefully things work out on the international front.”