DAVID Wright will relish being in the limelight again tonight after being banished to train with the Ipswich Town youth squad.

Elvin King

DAVID Wright will relish being in the limelight again tonight after being banished to train with the Ipswich Town youth squad.

The 29-year-old defender is set to hold his place for the Coca-Cola Championship match against Watford at Portman Road (kick-off 7.45pm) after returning to the side in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Swansea.

And the player, who will be making his 105th Blues appearance, reveals how he was determined to keep his chin up despite training with the kids for a couple of weeks.

Off the radar since the Carling Cup defeat at Peterborough on August 25, Wright made a surprise return at left back at the weekend having wondered at one time when he would play in front of nearly 20,000 again.

“The manager dropped me and it has been tough,” admitted Wright. “Like every other professional I want to play.

“But I kept my head down as hard as it has been.

“It was disheartening to train with academy staff Bryan Klug and Chris Kiwomya, and very hard to take.

“But I was determined to keep my chin up and my chest out.

“There is no point moping around and this rubs off on to the other lads.

“What the manager does you have got to accept. He is the manager and there is no point crying about it.

“I was looking to do the right things and to take any opportunity that came my way in the reserves, for example, to impress the gaffer.

“And last Friday when we came to practise set pieces I guessed I was back into the team.”

Wright is an example that Keane is not the cold, insensitive manager that outsiders may suggest, and that current out of favour players can play their way back into contention.

Jon Stead currently finds himself in the cold at Portman Road - with Derby County manager Nigel Clough confirming an interest despite contact not having been made with Keane.

Stead failed to make the Ipswich squad at the weekend, but he also confirms that playing for Keane is no different to any other manager.

The striker said: “Does the manager rule by fear? I don't think he does.

“He tells you if you are not doing well, but Jim Magilton for example was the same. Personally it is not a problem at all.”

Keane, who is hoping to lead Town to their first league win of the season tonight, says that he is delighted to have Wright back in the fold.

“David has proved a good example,” said Keane.

“He was disappointed to be left out, but kept his head down and showed a professional attitude.

“I am delighted to have him back, and he did very, very well on Saturday.”