Bailey Wright has returned from the World Cup determined to stake his claim as a regular starter in the second half of Sunderland's Championship campaign. Wright helped Australia reach the last 16 in Qatar, where the Socceroos bowed out at the beginnning of December after losing 2-1 to eventual tournament winners Argentina.
The 30-year-old defender has had a stop-start season on Wearside, having to bide his time until the end of October before making his first league start which marked the beginning of a four-game run which secured his place in the squad for the World Cup. After returning from the tournament, he again had to be patient but when injuries forced boss Tony Mowbray to reshuffle his defence, Wright has gone on to start the last three games - in the league at Wigan and Blackpool, followed by Saturday's FA Cup victory at Shrewsbury Town.
"The World Cup experience was incredible and I guess it was a different World Cup coming in the middle of the season, and you are coming back to being here in the middle of a season," said Wright, who has captained the side in the last two games while Corry Evans has been missing. "I have had to be patient again to get my chance in the team and with every game there is an opportunity to keep that shirt.
