STEPHEN WRIGHT is sick of seeing glum faces around the Sunderland training base - and is even more unhappy that he has been unable to do anything about it.

But, as he approaches a first team comeback after four months out with a calf problem, Wright wants to do everything within his powers to bring a few smiles back.

The right-back could be thrust into Sunderland's relegation fight when Bolton visit the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day as Nyron Nosworthy is ruled out through suspension.

And Wright, with just Thursday's brief run out in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Doncaster behind him, is eager to return to the fold as quickly as possible after becoming increasingly frustrated with the club's plight.

During his absence, since going off after 80 minutes of the opening day defeat to Charlton, Sunderland have won just once in the Premiership and have recorded just five points, as well as losing their last ten fixtures.

"The lads started the campaign well but when you are losing every week it's hard," said the 25-year-old, one of the few survivors of the last Sunderland team to be relegated from the top-flight back in 2003.

"I have been there before and I know what it's like to be in this position.

"If you catch a player when we have just been beaten then it's easy to see how hard to take some of these defeats have been for everyone.

"To see everyone mulling around the place, with their heads down, is not nice, but there are always going to be days like this. Whether you are at the top or the bottom you are going to lose, we've just had more than our fair share already.

"We have to get on with it and we have to concentrate solely on the next game. We can't afford to look too far ahead."

Despite being 11 points adrift of safety, and seven shy of second from bottom, Wright believes the task of climbing out of the bottom three is not insurmountable.

And the former Liverpool defender is calling on all his team-mates to stay focused and refuse to accept the race for survival is over yet.

Wright indicated he will just relieved to play a part in trying to turn things around over the Christmas period - when Sunderland face Bolton, Blackburn, Everton and Fulham in the space of eight days.

"You have always got to believe. We are not mathematically down," said Peter Reid's £3m signing.

"If we have a good Christmas and pick up a couple of wins then you just never know.

"We are trying to work hard and get back to winning ways. It's not nice and it's been hard for me watching on from the sidelines.

"I wouldn't say it's been embarrassing this season but we do know it's not nice at the bottom of the table. We don't go into games wanting to be beaten.

"It's different to the squad that were relegated a couple of years ago. I try not to remember what it was like then, but neither of the two seasons have been nice to experience. We do have time to put this one right though."

On the possibility of replacing Nosworthy against Bolton, Wright said: "I had 25 minutes in a game on Thursday. It's nice to know my comeback is on the horizon.

"They have been the longest months of my career, so it's just great to be back.

"I will be fit enough to start if the manager decides that's the best for the side. It will be nice to get back in."

Manager Mick McCarthy is also hoping to have Tommy Miller, Alan Stubbs and Stephen Elliott available again after injuries.

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