RICHARD Wright is not bitter about his imminent departure from his beloved Ipswich Town.

Experienced keeper Wright, like his namesake David Wright, has not been offered a new contract by Town boss Roy Keane.

But unlike defender David, who was devastated to learn his fate this week, Richard is more philosophical. The 32-year-old ex-England keeper had an inkling that he would be on his way, although he is still understandably disappointed.

“If you had asked me two months ago, then I’d have said that I expected this,” admitted keeper Wright.

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

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

“I am disappointed, don’t get me wrong, but someone like David Wright has been in the team on a regular basis and has performed well this season, so for that to happen is devastating.

“But I understand how things are, and I just want to get on with it.

“I don’t want to dwell on the past or dwell on things that you can’t worry about. I’ve got a family holiday already booked and I’m looking forward to that,” added Wright.

Ipswich-born Wright, a product of the Portman Road youth system, was a member of the club’s famous promotion to the Premier League in 2000 during his first long stay.

Big-money moves to Arsenal (�6m in 2001) and Everton (�3.5m a year later) never really worked out, and he returned to Ipswich in the summer of 2008 on a two-year-deal, following an unsuccessful stay at West Ham.

He was voted “player-of-the-year” last season, by both the supporters and his team-mates, but a poor start to this campaign saw some mistakes creep in. He suffered a dip in form, with manager Keane finally losing patience and dropping him after just two months.

A long-awaited return, at Cardiff City at the end of November, lasted just 22 minutes. He hobbled off with a long-term knee injury. That was his last appearance in a Town shirt, although he has been an unused substitute in the last two matches.

Wright continued: “This year has been very stop-start. I was feeling great in pre-season, and I was flying at the start of the season.

“But I then had a little dip in my form, the team were struggling, and the manager decided to make changes. It was frustrating.

“I had a meeting with the manager (this week), when he told me the news.

“I have great memories of this football club. It’s dear to my heart, but I’ve got to move on.

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

“The fans have always been very positive to me. They’ve got behind me, even this season. They are dear to me, as is the football club.

“I’m an Ipswich Town fan and there’s nothing I’d like more than to see this club in the Premier League, which is where it belongs,” added Wright, who made 298 league appearances for Town.