STEPHEN Wright didn't just break a year-long scoring duck against Nottingham Forest this week - he moved a third of the way towards silencing his mates.

The Sunderland right-back had not hit the back of the net since last August before he headed home Dean Whitehead's corner on Tuesday night.

Goals have proved hard to come by throughout the defender's career, with this week's effort making it just three from 107 appearances.

But, rather than keep quiet about his lack of success, Wright has struck a bet with his friends that he will double his career tally this season.

And, with just two more goals to go, the Liverpudlian is confident he will be collecting his money by the end of the campaign.

"I've had a bet with my mates every year that I'd score three goals or more that season," said Wright, whose return from injury has co-incided with back-to-back wins over Gillingham and Forest. "If I do that this time round, I'll be happy.

"I didn't win it last season, although I'd like to think I was close because I scored one and had two disallowed.

"I don't score very often, so I have to make the most of them while I can.

"I score them in training and that's why the gaffer puts me up there.

"When I don't go up he's yelling 'Why aren't you up there'.

"So it was great to actually score one against Forest. It was a great ball in from Dean Whitehead and all I had to do was direct it into the net."

Tuesday's goal was a bit of a bonus, but Wright's defensive value has never been in doubt since his £3m move from Merseyside in August 2002.

The 24-year-old has made the right-back spot his own and, with George McCartney and Stephen Caldwell now also fully fit, McCarthy has had the luxury of being able to name his first-choice backline in Sunderland's last two outings.

Both of those have resulted in a clean sheet and, while six goals in two games have underlined the Black Cats' attacking strength, Wright feels their new-found defensive solidity is just as significant.

"The two clean sheets are as pleasing as anything," said Wright. "It's something the gaffer's been on about a lot - he's told us that we need to be keeping clean sheets.

"We had quite a few last year, and we have to get back into that this year.

"I think if we keep everyone fit in the back four, then it looks strong.

"You know you're going to get injuries from time to time, but there are vital times in the season when you need your first-choice four at the back.

"This is what the gaffer thinks is his best four so it's good to have us all together."

Read more about Sunderland here.