Michael Bailey Defender David Wright has suggested he would like to return to Norwich City after his release from rivals Ipswich Town. The 30-year-old full-back has been not been offered a new deal by Blues manager Roy Keane and missed their 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United on the final day of the Championship season on Sunday.

Michael Bailey

Defender David Wright has suggested he would like to return to Norwich City after his release from rivals Ipswich Town.

The 30-year-old full-back has been not been offered a new deal by Blues manager Roy Keane and missed their 3-0 home defeat to Sheffield United on the final day of the Championship season on Sunday.

But sources in Suffolk believe the player would be keen for another spell at Carrow Road having made five appearances on loan for City at the end of 2005 - if boss Paul Lambert was interested in him.

The right-back admitted he would love to remain in East Anglia and play in the Coca-Cola Championship despite admitting he was 'devastated' to be released by the Tractor Boys after 128 appearances.

“It has come as a shock and I'm devastated,” said the defender.

“I thought I'd done enough to be offered a new deal.

“I saw the manager on Tuesday and he said some nice things about me, but that he was looking in a new direction. It is not a decision I agree with, but I have to respect it.

“Along with the rest of my family I love living in the area and I have loved playing for Ipswich Town.

“Apart from gaining promotion to the Premier League, which was my goal when I arrived from Wigan, I have had a great time.

“I already have irons in the fire for next season and will now be looking into setting up the next stage of my career.

“I want to stay at Championship level and this is where I am looking.”

With City returning to the Championship next season, a move to Carrow Road would certainly reduce the upheaval for Wright and his family.

Long-serving goalkeeper Richard Wright has also been told his Ipswich career is over and both Wrights missed Sunday's finale against the Blades - with Keane intimating it was the players' decision not to be involved.

“A couple of players today missed the game through injury, David Wright and Richard Wright,” said Keane.

“They didn't make themselves available for today, and they would have been involved, most definitely.

“Strangely they turned in for training yesterday not 100 per cent fit. One trained and then walked in after half an hour saying he wasn't right. But there you go.”

t An ex-Canary loan star could have a crucial part to play in the chase for a Champions' League place at the top of the Premier League.

Goalkeeper Ben Alnwick, who was on-loan at Carrow Road earlier this season until injury curtailed his time in Norfolk, could be set to play in Tottenham Hotspur's crucial clash at Manchester City tomorrow night.

The stopper, who played xx times in goal for the Canaries, looks set to replace injured Brazilian Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs goal as they travel to the City of Manchester Stadium to take on Roberto Mancini's side.

The winners of the clash will find themselves in pole position for fourth spot in the top-flight.

And Spurs boss Harry Redknapp confirmed Alnwick could be in line to play if Gomes does not recover from a groin injury.

“Gomes's groin is sore," said Redknapp.

“He'll have a scan and see what the damage is.

As well as the 23-year-old Alnwick, Redknapp also has 36-year-old Jimmy Walker as back-up.

Alnwick has made just two cup appearances for Spurs since joining from Sunderland in January 2007, but has had loan spells at Luton, Leicester, Carlisle and Norwich, while Walker has yet to make his debut after joining last summer.

“If he isn't fit, Ben would play and Jimmy would be on the bench,” added Redknapp.