Sunderland's promising start leaves Bailey Wright…

Sunderland's promising start leaves Bailey Wright playing a waiting game

Bailey Wright is pushing for a place in Sunderland's starting XI - but admits he can have no complaints about being left out after the Black Cats' promising start in the Championship. Sunderland have picked up four points from their first two games since returning to the second tier, and have turned in solid performances in the draw on Wearside against Coventry and then the victory at Bristol City last weekend.

Wright has watched both games from the bench and has yet to break into Alex Neil's first-team, although the defender did make his first appearance of the season in the midweek Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. The Australia international is keen to force his way into the league picture, but so far the form of Daniel Ballard and Danny Batth is keeping him out of the side.

"I've watched from the sidelines but I'm very much keeping lads on their toes to make sure they are performing because naturally I want that shirt and the lads have done really well," said Wright, who captained the side against the Owls. "I can't argue there [with Neil's selection], I'm not stupid to say that I should just play.

"The lads have done really well and I've got a role to play. I think we have got a real top quality group of players and staff and a togetherness which is a strength of ours.

"Of course the Championship is a stronger division and there are levels and it's definitely gone up a notch. Everyone has expectations, there are some big spenders, really strong squads and depth, but we have that too.

"We have started well and will continue to get stronger on that front. We have a really good squad and I think we will back ourselves to get stronger and stronger throughout the season, we have started well but that start doesn't count if you don't continue.

"It's about not getting complacent and pushing each other every day. You get your chance if you work hard and keep lads on their toes and keep pushing yourself.

"It's more of a mental thing than physical if you can prepare mentally and make sure you are the best version of yourself you can be and be ready and support your team-mates. We all have the same goal and want to do really well this season, and all need each other."

The cup game at Hillsborough was an opportunity for players such as Wright, Carl Winchester, Jay Matete, and Patrick Roberts to stake a claim for a starting berth as Neil made 11 changes, but it was a chance that passed them by as the Black Cats produced a disappointing display in South Yorkshire. Wright said: "It was an opportunity to put yourself in the thought process for the manager.

"With every opportunity you are representing Sunderland and yourself, and you don't look at it and say there’s 11 changes. We won't get too down and will learn from it.

"It was nice to get out there, get some minutes, but obviously we wanted to win. Sheffield Wednesday are a good side, we saw that last year [in League One].

"It was an opportunity for a few of us to play and make our mark, and try to push to get into that first XI for league games. I thought there was a lot of good play but sometimes we were our own worst enemies.

"These nights are good in many ways for creating experience for certain players and you can learn a lot from playing against a big physical side and a big club. It was a good test for a lot of the boys and an opportunity to get minutes but ultimately we lost the game and that's what annoys me.

"We focus on tomorrow now [when QPR visit the Stadium of Light in the league], another tough game and we will prepare for every game with the respect it deserves."

Sunderland's promising start leaves Bailey Wright playing a waiting game

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