Richard Wright is relishing the chance to prove himself at West Ham United after his third Carling Cup appearance of the season.
The outstanding Premier League form of England goalkeeper Robert Green has restricted Wright's appearances this campaign to the cup competition and the run into the last eight has left the 29-year-old with the prospect of another opportunity to shine. Although he was not really tested in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat of Coventry City, he was just grateful to be in the spotlight again.
"I didn't have a great deal to do in a way but for me it is nice to be playing in the team and hopefully go out there more often," the Ipswich-born shot-stopper told WHUTV. "Hopefully I will get to play in the next round as well. It wasn't the best performance but the main thing is we are in the draw."
The quarter-final lineup is particularly tough with all eight contenders from the Premier League. Among them are Arsenal and Everton, two of Wright's former clubs, with the latter the team he left in the summer after five years. He is under no illusion about the task facing his new colleagues. "Of course, when you play the Premier League teams, it will be very difficult," he said. "We are looking forward to it. When you get to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, it doesn't matter who you get."
To hear more from Wright, go to WHUTV - where you can also see today an exclusive interview with Jonathan Spector, along with extended highlights and post-match reaction from the fourth-round tie at the Ricoh Arena. For details of a special three-month trial, click here.