RECENTLY-RELEASED Ipswich Town goalkeeper Richard Wright was handed a baptism of fire on his first Manchester City training session.

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During free-kick practise, James Milner and Scott Sinclair leave the 34-year-old rooted to the spot with pin-point efforts, while the former Blues man jokes he ‘had it covered’ when a fierce striker Mario Balotelli rattles the post.

The mad-cap Italian – who is heard pointing at the dummy wall and naming the fixed figures ‘Messi, Iniesta and Xavi’ – then lashes an unstoppable effort into the top corner, with a City coach chuckling ‘welcome’ in Wright’s direction.

Having made just one appearance in his third spell at Ipswich, Wright was released by his hometown club this summer. A move to Preston lasted just a week into pre-season, with the custodian citing that he was ‘homesick’.

The Green’Un understands that the former Arsenal, Everton and West Ham keeper had turned down a move to League Two side Barnet and was all set to take on a coaching role at Town.

However, the Premier League champions made a shock move on transfer deadline day, offering him a one-year deal to act as back-up to Joe Hart and Costel Pantilimon.

5 comments

  • Golly gosh, that's really interesting.

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    JOHN BURLS

    Thursday, September 13, 2012

  • But imagine Hart breaks a leg in February and the other fella has a couple of howlers?! Wright could be collecting League, Champions League medals and playing in huge games. Or he could be playing for Barnet. Mmmmmm.

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    DavidPayne

    Monday, September 10, 2012

  • HAVE MANCHESTER CITY GONE BONKERS ,, THEIR BALL-BOY WOULD HAVE DONE THAT JOB FOR £20 A WEEK

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    MIGUEL100

    Friday, September 7, 2012

  • i'd pay money to let mario balotelli smash balls at me. wake up and smell the coffee Big Spot, Wrightys buzzing.

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    cyberslayer

    Friday, September 7, 2012

  • Since he left Ipswich this guy has earned bucket loads of money for training and sitting on a bench and it seems this continues. As football is now less of a game and more of a business I wonder how many businesses could afford to have a guy come to work everyday to hang around and doodle just in case someone goes sick.How a footballer can be content with not playing football I'll never know, but I guess money turns heads.

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    Big Spot

    Friday, September 7, 2012

1980-81 The greatest season in Ipswich Town's history. Pre-order your copy here - only £19.81

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