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Search forWrighty: 'It was right time for me to go'
Thursday, November 20, 2008, 08:00
Winger Wright returns to the Banks's Stadium this weekend with new club MK Dons for the first time since he was released by the Saddlers in the summer of 2007.
But the 26-year-old – who came through Walsall's youth ranks and spent seven years with the club – believes his enforced departure was a blessing in disguise.
He told Advertiser Sport: ""I'm looking forward to going back because I've been at the club since I was a kid.
"They are the ones who gave me the chance to start playing football and the promotion season sticks out in my mind (200-6-07).
"The fans could get on your back sometimes but that's part of the game and I hope I'll get a good reception come Saturday.
"But I think I needed a change and a new setting and I'm really enjoying my football again now."
Indeed, Wright (pictured right) has become somewhat of a goal machine for the fourth-placed Dons, scoring 16 times in 59 appearances – as opposed to just nine strikes in 141 games for the Saddlers.
He added: "I think it's just down to enjoying my football, I've been playing in a more advanced position and that's allowed me to get forward more.
"We have got a good group here and we kept a lot of players from when we were promoted last season.
"We thought we could be up near the top of League One and if we keep being consistent we can still be up there at the end, maybe sneak in the play-offs or even push for an automatic place."
One former teammate who Wright will not be bumping into this weekend is Ishmel Demontagnac, who was sacked by the club last week after a series of serious breaches of discipline.
The youngster is believed to be training with Crystal Palace as he seeks to get his career back on track.
Saddlers boss Jimmy Mullen, meanwhile, should have a fully fit squad to choose from for Saturday's encounter with Roberto Di Matteo's Dons.
But he is likely to stick with the side that performed impressively in last Saturday's 2-0 away win at Colchester United.
One man who is hoping force his way into Mullen's reckoning is former Oldham Athletic centre back Richard Byrne, who could be an answer to the lack of cover the Saddlers possess at the back.
Byrne is on trial at the Banks's Stadium and played in Tuesday night's 1-0 Birmingham Senior Cup loss to Solihull Moors.
For a match report and pictures from that game, plus more news, turn to Spotlight on the Saddlers on page 71.
Walsall FC 2006/07... v Barnet (a, drew 1-1). Mark Wright. PIC BY KEVIN GRICE
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