IPSWICH TOWN: Richard Wright has proved the doubters wrong before – and now the former England international goalkeeper wants to do it again.

The 32-year-old was told this week by manager Roy Keane that his contract with the Blues is not going to be renewed in the summer.

But he plans to fight back, and says that he is disappointed but not entirely surprised at being released after two years back with his home town club at Portman Road.

“Prior to coming back I bumped into Jim Magilton and everyone knows what sort of character he is,” said Wright.

“He quipped that I wouldn’t be back playing again at Ipswich.

“My attitude then was that I was going to prove him wrong.

“And the following autumn I was back playing in the team. My attitude is the same now.

“I believe I’m still good enough to play at the highest level and I’m going to keep playing until they have to carry me off the pitch.”

And reflecting on his week, Wright went on: “If I’d been asked two months ago I’d have said I expected to go.

“But after being involved in the last two squads I thought it might be different.

“I’m not really surprised though. That’s how football is. It gives me a chance to look for a new challenge.”

Wright helped take Town into the Premiership and then to fifth place in the top flight before being signed for �6million by Arsenal in the summer of 2001.

He went on to play for Everton and West Ham before retuning to Town in 2008, and he was voted player of the year by supporters last season.

“I was happy how it worked out last season,” added Wright, who signed a Nationwide Building Society World Cup England shirt that was displayed from the tallest building in the dock area yesterday.

“And also what I achieved with Ipswich previously.

“But it’s been a stop, start season this time. I suffered a bit of a dip in form and the team was struggling and the manager made changes.

“And then when I was back in the side I suffered a knee injury at Cardiff City – my worst injury in football and perhaps fate took a hand!”

Although philosophical about his departure, Wright admits it will be a wrench.

He explained: “I have great memories of Ipswich Town.

“It’s dear to my heart, but I’ve got to move on.

“I don’t know whether I’ll be involved in Sunday against Sheffield United, but I don’t need to be on the pitch to show the fans how I feel about them.

“They have always been very positive to me. They’ve got behind me, even this season.

“I’m an Ipswich Town fan and there’s nothing more I’d like to see than this club in the Premier League.

“I believe we have got players who can achieve this as I’ve said that all year. And my views haven’t changed.

“The quality is there. It’s just not happened for us. We just haven’t played that well.”