The Bristol City skipper’s year from hell was compounded by being left out of Australia’s FIFA World Cup squad, and also missing out on AFC Asian Cup selection.
Having returned to action for the high-flying Robins on New Year’s Day, Wright has Socceroos coach Graham Arnold singing his praises ahead of a looming June friendly against Korea Republic and a likely spot in the Championship play-offs in May.
“Bailey was unlucky to miss out on being selected for the World Cup (by Bert van Marwijk) and has had a few injuries to contend with this season but has fought back well and is playing first team football for his club again,” Arnold told The World Game.
“That’s where we need him to be. That wasn’t really the case in January and made it hard to pick him for the Asian Cup but he’s a leader and a warrior and he’s a player I’m very keen to integrate back into the squad heading towards the next World Cup qualification campaign (which begins for Australia in September).”
Ironically, Wright’s injury curse began with a tweak in his quad playing for Australia in 4-1 friendly loss to Norway in van Marwijk’s first game.
He managed the problem, and subsequent back issues, only to suffer the heartbreak of missing out on Russia 2018 before the injury worsened, limiting him to just eight Championship appearances so far this season for the fifth-placed Robins.
“It’s been a long, hard road but it’s nice to be out there playing again,” said Wright, who has 23 caps for his country.
“I had so many reoccurrences but the medical staff have been brilliant with me and I’m now in the best condition of my career.
“I missed nine months of club football. It’s given me an understanding of how frustrating long-term injuries can be for any player.”
Coming off the back of crucial away wins over promotion rivals Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, City are closing in on a possible return to the top flight for the first time in 39 years.
Bristol now sit in fifth position in the Championship on 61 points with a game in hand. Third through to sixth qualifies for the playoffs for the final promotion spot.
“We’ve got to carry on the way we are ... we’re playing good football and are feeling confident. There are huge positives but the only thing that matters now is our next match against Wigan,” cautioned Wright.
“We are a big club who are striving for the best.”
Wright admits not making the cut for Russia was one of the “toughest things” he’s faced in his career.
“It came as a bit of a shock, the way it was all dealt with and done,” he added.
“But that’s football. It wasn’t the first setback and it won’t be the last of my career.
“I’ve had my fair share of disappointments and things I haven’t quite achieved and that was just one of them for me.
“At the time it felt terrible and even now you still look back on it because I’d have loved to have been part of the World Cup.
“But I’m still only 26 and still have a lot of time ahead of me and a lot to look forward to.”
Wright was part of Arnold’s first training camp when he took charge last year, but wasn’t quite right physically at the time.
“Bailey’s been playing for a number of years now at a good level in England and has qualities that can only improve our defensive depth,” re-iterated the Socceroos coach.
“He’s got good experience at international already and I’m really pleased for him to see him back playing again, and he’ll get certainly get his chance again with the national team again.”
Wright has no doubt he can resurrect his international future.
“I’m confident in my own ability but the national team is always tough to get into, and that’s what you want,” he said.
“Nothing is guaranteed and the World Cup for me confirmed that.”
While officially fit for the UAE in January, Wright was underdone and understood why Arnold didn’t select him.
“I’d only played one competitive game for nine months, and that off the bench against Stoke on New Year’s Day,” he said.
“It would have brilliant to have been part of it and I would have been fit.
“But would it have been the right selection to make, who knows?”
