INJURIES restricted Stephen Wright's return to the Premiership with Sunderland to two games last season, so he must feel as if he has never been away from the Championship, writes Paul Fraser.

But, having played 39 times in the Football League championship winning campaign of 2004-05, Wright at least knows he has what is required to cope with life outside the top-flight.

The former Liverpool full-back spent the majority of last season sidelined with a serious knee injury and then, after making a long-awaited return at West Ham in February, a series of niggling injuries prevented him from appearing again.

Wright, though, feels the worst of his problems are behind him and, provided summer rehabilitation goes to plan, he will be ready to embark on a hectic pre-season training schedule on June 26.

"I'd hardly missed a game in the season we won the league and the games I missed were mainly through suspension. It was just one of those things in the Premiership," said Wright.

"The surgery I had was quite extensive but that's hopefully the end of it. Now I hope I can put it behind me.

"It was a frustrating time for me, to say the least. But I'm well on the road to recovery. I'm due back a little earlier than the rest of the squad next month to work with physio Peter Friar, but I'll be able to train fully with the lads when they all return towards the end of the month.

"The aim now is to get back to full fitness, get back to playing every week and help Sunderland get back to the Premiership."