IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton knows exactly what he wants from his new number one goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Town manager Jim Magilton knows exactly what he wants from his new number one goalkeeper Richard Wright.

He wants him to carry on where he left off.

“If Richard produces the form he showed in 1999/00 and 2000/01 then I will be more than happy,” said Magilton.

The Blues boss has had his sights set on bringing Wright back to Portman Road for the last couple of years.

Last summer it was not easy to get the wherewithal for the move, and Wright admitted that his patience ran out, leading to a switch to West Ham from Everton.

Now Magilton has finally got his man - and having played in front of him during his playing days with Town he knows the quality he has purchased on a two-year deal.

The acquisition of the club by Marcus Evans has allowed Magilton more licence in the transfer market this summer - something that has been reflected in increased season ticket sales.

“Richard has returned to his spiritual home,” added Magilton about a keeper popularly ranked as the best along with Paul Cooper to have worn a Town jersey.

“He is still hungry and will benefit from having spent time with three Premier League clubs.

“Richard is at the right age, and we will provide him with a platform to play. We know how good he is, and how good he can be for this club.

“He had to come through the ranks here. He had to fight his way into the team.

“When he had done so he won his first England cap here. There's a lot of good memories for him and I'm delighted to have him.”

Wright was keeping all his fingers crossed that a deal with Ipswich would be completed this time around.

And he revealed his frustrations at the delay.

“Living in Ipswich I kept picking up the paper and seeing Ipswich linked with this keeper or that,” he said.

“It was a bit worrying. But at the same time I was kept informed about what was going on and assured I was the number one target.

“I had no doubt in my mind it would come off, but I was just hoping and praying everything would go through and I would get the green light.”

An Ipswich Town XI travels to Ridgeons League Tiptree United tonight (THUR) in a match promised by Town after a Portman Road administrative error led to the Jam-makers being excluded from two FA competitions.

Ipswich are set to include a good sprinkling of first team players.