Standby

Dickie Wright has been put on standby for Euro 2004. He is fourth choice goalie behind Jessie James, Paul Robinson and bad hair day Walker. (17/05/04)

I'm Back

Dicky's back and raring to go. The Everton medical team have been onto his missus and asked her to go with him if he wants to go into the garage or up into the loft.

Wrighty says: "The knee was fine, I haven’t had any doubts about the knee for about the last three weeks. It’s just a case of keeping up my fitness work and I know the knee will be physically strong enough. Hopefully I can get another game in the next week and then be in contention for the first team, but Nigel is performing very well and it is going to be difficult.”(03/03/04)

Game On Nige !!

Dickie Wright who is nearly ready to play some games again, is relishing the challenge of displacing current Everton No. 1, Nigel Martyn. Wright believes that Martyn has just not been Everton's most consistent performer, but also one of the Premier League's as well.

Dickie says: "Nigel’s done very well. I give him a bit of stick telling him that he’s got to let me back in again because I opened the door for him a bit. Nigel’s been fantastic and I don’t think he’s let anyone down and if anything he’s been one of the best performers this year so I know it’s going to be difficult. But that’s what the manager wants, he wants competition for places and I just hope I can give Nigel some competition and take over and get my place back. I want to play as many games as I can towards the end of the season. It’s unheard of for me not to be able to play games and it’s been very difficult not being able to be there. I’m not the type of person to sit and watch it. My main aim is to make sure I play games and get games under my belt, whether it be reserve games or whatever. Hopefully that’s the case and I can perform well and challenge for a first team spot again. Competition can only push you on and make you progress as a player. If you’ve got someone who’s good breathing down your neck or someone who you’ve got to fight against you’ve got to push yourself as much as you possibly can. I think he’s been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League this season so it’s going to be a very tough task, but like I said before it’s about competition I’m looking forward to the challenge." (24/02/04)

Honest, This Time

Wrighty with no new major mishaps under his belt, could be back to full scale training as early as next week. Dickie's injury saga, which has gone on longer than a soap story line will still face stiff competition to un seat in form keeper Nigel Martyn from the Everton stick's.

Chris Woods says: "We have a good group of keepers here. Richard Wright is getting back to full fitness and he will be pushing to get his place back, so that is good for competition with Steve Simonsen and Gerrard here as well. (16/02/04)

Feel All Wright

Everton keeper Dickie Wright finally can see some light at the end of the tunnel with his injury nightmare. It has been four months now, since Dickie was last involved with the first team, but unfortunately for Wright, his biggest battle may lie ahead, and that is how to oust Nige Martyn out of the Everton sticks. Unconfirmed rumours suggest that Dickie has been talking to some of Merseyside's underworld figure's on the best way of getting Martyn out of the way.

Basil Rathbone says : "He’s five weeks post surgery. He’s doing handling and he’s doing gym work, cycling, swimming and he’s also doing strengthening. Fingers crossed Richard says that this time it 'feels ok', it feels like this has done the job, so that’s very, very positive news for Richard." (11/01/04)

I'll Be Back

Dickie Wright is determined that 2004 is going to be a lot happier than 2003. With the European Championships ahead next summer, and two keepers vying for Sven's squad, it can only be good news for Moyesy that hopefully both his main rivals for the No.1 jersey at Goodison, will be on top of their game. Dickie is hoping to get a few games for the rezzy's, as he hauls himself back to a level of match fitness.

Dickie says : " I am looking forward to the New Year and hope it will be a good year for me. I had the knee injury last January at Tottenham then had a silly shoulder injury. I played a few games in pre-season but then got injured. But I am positive and Dr Steadman was positive. Fingers crossed everything will be okay and I can play injury-free again. Initially my aim is to get back in the Everton team because Nigel is playing well, but I need to get back in and if I can do that and play to a high standard hopefully Mr Eriksson can get me involved again." (30/12/03)

Watch Your Back Nige

Dickie Wright has pledged to fight Nige Martyn all the way, to take back his keepers jersey for good. Dickie mentions his injury plagued year, and no doubt will be glad to see the back of 2003, were a catalogue of injuries and mishaps have befallen him. Dickie was speaking whilst resting at home after slightly electrocuting himself whilst setting up the Christmas tree lights.

Dickie says: "We can't rush things because I want to make sure that everything is right and I don't want a scenario where I am back to where I was six weeks ago. But I want to get back at the earliest opportunity. Nigel is a good goalkeeper who has played at the highest level and who is very experienced. I knew that if he got in the team it was going to be hard for me and I was desperate to keep my place. But it got to the stage where I said 'no, I have got to make sure I get myself right and then start fighting for my place again'. Then I got the knee problem at the start of January, had the silly accident with my shoulder in the summer and the knee persisted into this season." (15/12/03)

Knee Op

Dickie Wright has gone under the surgeon's knife again, this time in the States. It is still unknown how long Dickie will be laid low for, but we all wish him a speedy recovery.

'Basil' Rathbone says: " Richard underwent an athroscopy on his knee in Colorado on Wednesday" (06/12/03)

Get Well Soon Mate

Dickie Wright was given a boost today, by his rival for the keepers jersey at the The Blues, Nigel Martyn. Nige recalls his own injury torment of a few seasons ago, but is urging Dickie back to fitness sooner rather than later. Dickie was unavailable for comment today after slipping on an oil patch in his garage, and banging his head on the bonnet of his car, though it is thought his wife Betty was taking care of him.

Nige says :"I had a spell out a few years ago when I tore a groin muscle and there's nothing worse than having an injury because it gets you down. I think the sooner he can get himself fit and back in, the better it will be for both of us really, because it puts pressure on whoever's playing if there's somebody pushing all the time." (26/11/03)

Dickie Off To The States For A Cure

Dickie is to fly off to the States by the end of the week to undergo further surgery on his troublesome knee.The Blues keeper is going to the surgery in Colorado of the knee surgeon Dr. Steadman who is investigating the cause of Dickie's knee complaint.

Basil Rathbone says: "We expect hear from Dr Steadman in the next day or two.As everyone now knows that we met Dr Steadman in London and then we set scans over for evaluation by one of the most eminent radiologists in the US and that has been the reason for the delay. At present is far too difficult to predict how long Richard will be out because we don’t yet know the problem, but we have ruled out everything it could be by process of elimination, so whatever it is will be something out of the ordinary." (18/11/03)

Results This Week

Dickie Wright will definitely find out in the next 48 hours the extent of his knee trouble. Surgeon Dr. Richard Steadman had promised Everton he would have some news for them this week, after he took Dickie's notes home with him to the States so he could study them further.The initial meeting with the surgeon was described as positive by Everton's backroom boys, but further surgery still has not been ruled out.In the mean time Dickie has been trying to catch up with some DIY at his home, but his wife has coaxed him out of it, and it is believed that she has locked his tool box in an undisclosed place for his own safety. (12/11/03)

Dickie's Waiting Game

The Everton physio Mick 'Basil' Rathbone has accompanied Dickie Wright to London, to see knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman. Moyesy asked the Everton physio to go with Dickie to the capital in case he got on the wrong train, tripped up on the platform, or bumped into anything.The meeting though went well and it is now just a waiting game to see if the knee specialist can help Dickie out.

Basil Rathbone says: "We had an informal meeting with Dr Steadman and he’s had a look at the history of the injury and the video of Richard’s last operation.It was very positive and he gave us some valuable input as to what the problem might be.He’s asked for some further scans to be sent to his colleague in the United States for evaluation and we will be speaking again on Monday. (06/11/03)

The Fugitive To Fix Dickie's Knee

Everton are calling in eminent knee specialist Dr. Richard Steadman to investigate Dickie's ongoing knee troubles. Dr. Steadman who has worked with players such as Alan Shearer, Ronaldo and Ruud Van Nistlerooy is currently on the run from the FBI, for being wrongly accused of murdering his wife. Dr. Steadman has assured Everton that once he has proven his innocence he will go straight to work on Dickie's troublesome knee.

Basil Rathbone says: "Richard underwent a special MRI scan in London, which gives us a clearer and more dynamic picture of how his knee is reacting when it moves.The scan seemed to show that the knee was functioning normally and there’s nothing significantly wrong with the joint itself.The symptoms he’s getting seem to be more of an annoyance than anything seriously untoward with his knee.But we’re looking forward to meeting Dr. Steadman on Wednesday, as he is one of the world’s most eminent knee specialists, and we’re confident he’ll be able to get to the bottom of the problem and Richard will be back playing as soon as possible.The one saving grace is that because the symptoms only occur during long kicking, Richard has trained every day with the other goalkeeper for the past month. So, he’s fully match fit and match ready. Hopefully, once the problem is solved, he’ll be immediately available for selection again." (04/11/03)

Oh No Not Again

Dickie Wright had another setback on his road back from injury today. Wright who had forced his way back into First Team contention in the past couple of weeks, started to feel some pain again in the knee, and this is causing the Everton medical team some concern. Rumours were rife that Dickie had walked into a garden rake, after falling over a wheelbarrow, just before a plant pot fell on his head, after he cut through the electrical cable whilst cutting the grass, which was slippy underfoot, so he fell and in trying to stop himself pulled the wife's washing line down on top of him. Everton would not comment on these rumours, but said he would still be topping the bill at Chipperfields Circus this Christmas season.

Alan Irvine says: "We are looking at it with a view to surgery but we will have to wait and see.He is still getting a reaction but hopefully it won't be anything, certainly nothing has been found so far and it should be a case of continuing the treatment.We’re going to have another look at it and see how he’s getting on. It doesn’t seem to be settling down in the way that we hoped it would.It is disappointing but at this stage all we are doing is exploring to see if there is a problem, and if there is then we will have to take the necessary action, if there isn't we will carry on with his rehab and hopefully we'll have him back soon." (30/10/03)

Back At Brum

Richard Wright makes his first start since going off injured against Newcastle, well over a month ago. Dickie returns for the rezzys tomorrow evening against Birmingham, as he starts his battle to reclaim his first team place. Although he has been fit for a few weeks the backroom boys wanted to give him as much time as possible to recover fully from his troublesome knee, that has caused him so many problems when kicking balls.With Nige Martyn in decent enough form for the first team, Wrighty faces a long hard battle to get back in the first eleven. (21/10/03)

Back In Training

Dickie will be back at Bellefield on Monday to start his light training programme. Luckily he hasn't had an accident at home while he's been resting at home. Mind you he still has the weekend to negotiate.

Moyesy says: "The operation Richard had revealed there was no major problem with the knee and that he just needed rest. That is what he has had over the last couple of weeks. He has been doing some swimming and a little cycling and on Monday he will be back in training. We will keep him off kicking for a week or two but everything is looking good." (04/10/03)

He's All Wright

Everton's physio, cum part time detective Mick 'Basil' Rathbone was delighted with the results of Wrighty's exploratory surgery on his troublesome knee, which has plagued his time with the Blues.As expected it seems Dickie just needs to give his knee some rest,and avoid ladders and footballs with concrete inserts.

Basil Rathbone says :“Just as we had hoped, there’s no serious damage to the knee and he is expected to be back with us within three to four weeks.” (19/09/03)

Out For A Month