Saints make Wright move

Former England goalkeeper signs loan deal

Last updated: 20th March 2008

Richard Wright

Wright: Saints switch

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Southampton have signed West Ham goalkeeper Richard Wright on loan for a month.

Saints boss Nigel Pearson was forced into the market for the 30-year-old former England international after losing three goalkeepers to freak injuries in the space of a month.

No.1 Kelvin Davis dislocated a finger when he caught it in another player's shorts at Wolves, while Bartosz Bialkowski is out for the season after his thumb got in the way of a goal-line clearance while playing for the reserves.

Michael Poke, only recently recalled from a loan spell at non-league Torquay, then suffered an ankle ligament injury during the warm-up ahead of Saints' 5-0 drubbing at Hull, although he bravely completed the game.

Andrej Pernecky provided cover on the bench at Hull, a day before his 17th birthday.

Experience

Former Arsenal and Everton keeper Wright, who is second choice to Robert Green at Upton Park and has made just three Carling Cup appearances this season, is set to make his debut against Coventry on Saturday.

Pearson told the club's official website: "I am delighted to have got Richard. He is a proven goalkeeper with plenty of experience.

"It is a bizarre run of injuries but there is no point being negative. We had to address the situation and I am very pleased to have Richard on board."