Wright keen to stay at Leeds

THINGS have not worked out for Jermaine Wright the way he would have liked at Elland Road but he refuses to look for a summer move, writes Derek Davis.

The former Crewe and Ipswich midfielder was given 20 minutes action as Leeds' third substitute and then only when Simon Walton, who had only been on the pitch a minute himself, limped off with a hamstring pull.

Wright who chose Leeds ahead of an offer from Ipswich and despite interest from Everton, has barely figured for the Whites for more than a month and only injury, suspension and the refusal to play Seth Johnson as it would trigger a £250,000 payment to Derby County, gave him a chance to figure against his old club.

Wright has another two years on his Elland Road contract and won't be driven out.

He said: “I won't be looking for a move. I don't want people to think of my time at Leeds as a failure or something. I want to be part of a Leeds team that gets us back to the Premiership.

“I owe it to myself, my family and the fans because Leeds supporters have not seen the real Jermaine Wright.

“There is no point kidding people. I have not played anywhere near my best, so I know next season it is make or break.”

Wright could not provide the spark to trouble Ipswich although a content Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell admitted he put his team out not to lose rather than be adventurous.

Even though they were at home, Leeds stretched five across midfield using Rob Hulse as a lone striker.

It worked for United who frustrated Town while failing to find a way past the impressive Blues' defence except on one occasion.

After conceding a goal to Shefki Kuqi Leeds caught Ipswich off guard with Matthew Spring heading in a Frazer Richardson cross.

From then on it was pretty much batten down the hatches and counter when possible.

Blackwell said: “Our two centre-halves, Clarke Carlisle and Matthew Kilgallon, were superb.

“People may have thought we had put our towels on the beach for the holiday but we have a much-improved attitude here in the team and the whole club has moved on.

“The lads have shown a great attitude and I am proud of them, particularly as we knew Ipswich would take a gamble and come at us.

“I said to the lads at half time that at some stage Ipswich would go hell for leather to get the win they needed.”

Blackwell admitted he was grateful that Darren Currie missed deep into the four minutes of time added on.

He said: “At times like that all you can hope is that the fellow misses, and this time he did.”