Joe Wright has been given a second chance at winning a move to Hearts after he saw a first opportunity dashed by injury.
And the centre back did himself no harm by scoring in a trial appearance against East Fife. Robbie Neilson ’s men were back in action on home soil for the first time after a week-long training camp in Spain. Gibraltarian outfit Europa FC were seen off 4-0 in the sun, and the Jambos racked up the goals in Methil, notching a magnificent seven without reply in a testimonial encounter for Bayview front man Kevin Smith, brother of former Hearts striker Gordon.
Four of the goals came from defenders, with Stephen Kingsley claiming a hat-trick. Always prolific during pre-season, ‘Trialist’ made it 3-0 shortly after the half-hour mark, getting on the end of a sweet delivery from new boy Jorge Grant. ‘Trialist’ of course, was Wright, who is in training with the capital club in the hopes of winning a deal. He’ll play some part of tonight’s friendly against Spartans as Neilson splits his squad, and is likely to feature against SPFL newcomers Bonnyrigg Rose at Tynecastle on Saturday.
"I liked what I saw, so he needs to keep that up," was Neilson's assessment so far. "He'll keep playing and training. We've got a game on Wednesday night. He'll be involved in that a little bit and then there's the game on Saturday, so we'll see how he does. We spoke to him a while ago and obviously he got quite a bad injury and was in rehab. He's just coming back."
Getting on the scoresheet in these games is always useful when trying to impress, regardless of what position you play. For Wright though, this trial has been a long time coming after a proposed move to Tynecastle last summer fell through. Terms had been agreed for the 27-year-old, who was preparing to move to Gorgie. But a bitter injury blow in his final appearance for Doncaster Rovers saw him ruled out for up to nine months with a combined ankle and knee injury.
Falling awkwardly in a clash with Peterborough United’s Ricky-Wade Jones, the Wales Under 21 international saw his hopes of joining Hearts go up in smoke, at least for the time being. Neilson and sporting director Joe Savage kept in touch with Wright, although moved to sign Taylor Moore instead of him after his injury. Ironically, it would be Moore Wright replaces if he does land a deal. The centre back returned to Bristol City at the end of his loan before penning another with Shrewsbury Town this week.
Neilson has already added two centre backs to his squad this summer. Lewis Neilson is a player he knows well from his time in charge of Dundee United, and Hearts were able to nip in and sign the 19-year-old on a free as contract talks with the Tannadice club dragged on.
There’s more to come on that however, with United sporting director Tony Asghar adamant that an SPFL tribunal will find in the Terrors’ favour, meaning Hearts will have to cough up some sort of fee. The Jambos however, are confident they’ve done everything by the book.
Australian Kye Rowles is another backline addition, and will join up with his new teammates when he reports for duty tomorrow. Along with Nathaniel Atkisnon, Rowles helped the Socceroos qualify for a fifth World Cup finals in a row, turning in a Man of the Match display as Graham Arnold’s side beat Peru on penalties to book their spot in Qatar.
Neilson is likely to be a backup option initially, although showed up well in the friendly win over Europa, occupying the role John Souttar left vacant on the right hand side of defence. Rowles is left sided, and will allow Stephen Kingsley to switch to left wing back if needed. Alex Cochrane is back on a permanent basis and will see that position is one he can nail down, however.
Wright would increase the body count at centre back and leave Hearts well stocked there, but will need to prove his fitness in order to convince Neilson he’s worth a deal. Two games in as many days would be a big ask for any player, never mind one who’s not long back from a lengthy injury lay-off, hence his planned limited involvement this evening.
At almost six foot three, Wright would add serious height to the Hearts defence, he’s almost an inch taller than Rowles, and demonstrated his aerial prowess in throwing himself at Grant’s free-kick delivery to net with a diving header.
It’s what he does at the other end of the pitch he’ll be judged on however. Tougher tests are likely to come, and don’t be surprised to see his trial spell extended in order for Neilson to run the rule over him in further friendlies against Tranmere Rovers and Preston North End.
Given the long-standing interest in Wright, showing up well in those could be enough to see him signed. After one false start and a long fitness battle, taking the most of this second chance would be a reward for both Wright and Neilson’s patience.
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