A TWO year exile from Premiership football has been hard for Sunderland's Stephen Wright to take and he is desperate for a return to the promised land this summer.

During his days at Liverpool he was hailed as one of this country's brightest young defensive talents after starring for the Academy side and during loan spells with Crewe.

But he went onto make only ten league appearances for the Reds before Peter Reid took him to Wearside in a £3m deal in August 2002.

Wright's first season at Sunderland ended in relegation and the club's failure to make an immediate return back to the top-flight has meant an extended stay outside the elite for the no-nonsense full-back.

But Sunderland's climb to within three points of an automatic promotion place has increased the hopes of Mick McCarthy's men making a return to the Premiership this time around.

And Wright claims it can't come soon enough - and believes Sunderland may never have a stronger opportunity to rejoin Middlesbrough and Newcastle in English football's top tier.

"There is a massive desire for me to get back into the Premiership because I've played quite a few times in the Premiership for Liverpool. I know what it's like to play there and how good it is," said Wright.

"Players come from all over the world to play in the Premiership so if I didn't want to be back, there would be something wrong. I want to be back playing in that league as soon as I can.

"This is the best chance we've had of getting back there. It's a big season for us and it's a really big chance because everyone is beating everyone else.

"Last season Norwich and West Brom went off on their own. There is a great chance for us this season because we are taking points from West Ham and Reading and teams like that while Wigan and Ipswich aren't."

Sunderland make a return to Championship duty tomorrow at Derby after taking a week out to overcome Premiership side Crystal Palace in the FA Cup.

The victory over the Eagles offered some relief to the Sunderland squad after a disappointing return from the league fixtures over the festive period.

From a possible 12 points, Sunderland could only pick up four and their only success came in the nail-biting 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest on December 28.

But Wright hopes last the cup win will stand Sunderland in good stead for the trip to in-form Derby at Pride Park tomorrow lunch-time.

"The game with Palace gave us a chance to forget about our failings over Christmas," said Wright.

"It was out of the same old routine in the league and playing game after game in the league, hopefully it has helped us.

"We might have had injury problems but the lads have come in and done superbly. The players being brought in can play and is good for confidence.

"Before the Crystal Palace game I think we only had about 17 fit players but as I say the lads that came in did themselves proud."

Derby striker Tommy Smith will be out to prove a point today after turning his back on the Black Cats in favour of signing a longer term deal with the Rams.

Smith, a forward who tends to drift to the left side in attacks, spent last season at the Stadium of Light and Wright is looking forward to battling with him down his flank.

"Tommy's one to watch. I don't know where he'll play, he sometimes drops to the left-hand side. He seems to have a good partnership with the lad who has just gone back there from Rotherham, Junior," said Wright.

"He has plenty of ability and he's just been a little unfortunate with injuries.

"Tommy was a good lad here and he'd have probably liked a little more time on the pitch but that never happened. He went to Derby and he has been putting the ball in the back if the net."

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