DAVID Wright is looking to make up for missing out on playing in a League Cup final with tonight's opponents Wigan by getting to Wembley with Ipswich.

Derek Davis

DAVID Wright is looking to make up for missing out on playing in a League Cup final with tonight's opponents Wigan by getting to Wembley with Ipswich.

The Blues defender helped the Latics reach the 2006 final but after playing in the early round got injured just before the semi-finals against Arsenal and did not recover in time to face Manchester United in the final.

Without him Wigan went down 4-0 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff and Wright is thirsting for another chance with Wembley the target this time.

He said: “We are at home and this is a great opportunity to reach the quarter-finals. After that who knows? We could get one of the really big clubs and that would be great for Ipswich Town or we could get a draw against someone we have a serious chance of getting through to the semi-s and anything can happen after that.”

Three players from that final - Mike Pollitt who played instead of the injured Chris Kirkland, Paul Scharner and Kevin Kilbane - remain and manager Steve Bruce could make changes from the team that drew 0-0 at spurs on Sunday, although Wright is not convinced he will weaken his side.

Wright said: “I would be very surprised if Wigan did make a lot of changes. It is a doorway to Europe and for many clubs outside the top four the best chance.

“Wigan have a very good so whoever they play it won't particularly weaken them but like us they will see this competition as a great opportunity to get to a final again.

“You get through this round and you are in the quarter finals.

“When I was at Wigan we reached the final. We mixed it up in the early rounds, but once we got to Newcastle in the quarters we had a settled side.

“Unfortunately I got injured before the first leg against Arsenal and missed out but it was a tremendous achievement for the club to get to the final.

“We got tonked by Manchester United, but even so it was amazing.”

After pipping Ipswich to promotion in 2005, Wigan have remained in the top flight and that has helped Wigan createa unique atmosphere given their limited resources and Wright is looking forward to meeting up with old friends.

He said: “Not only did we get promoted but we did what is probably the hardest thing and that was to stay in the Premiership.

“That helps bond players together and you remember that.

“Steve Bruce has brought in some of his own players to build on that and he has a very good squad there.”

“This will be the first time in two years that I will see the lads although I have spoken to a few. Some of the lads like Chris Kirkland, Emile Heskey, Paul Scharner and Kevin Kilbane are still there. Many of then sent me things like gloves and shirts for my cancer charity which was very good of them.”

Wright, who can play anywhere along the back line, is likely to remain at left back.