VERSATILE defender Andrew Wright is hoping to be ready to fight for a first-team place again next week.

He has not figured in the starting line-up for Scunthorpe since the 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff on January 16.

He then picked up an ankle injury in training that cost him a place against Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Wright, who recently signed a new two-year contract extension at Glanford Park, missed the next six games.

And he damaged his ankle again when he returned as a substitute in the home game with Barnsley in the middle of February.

Since then, he has been sidelined again, missing the last three games.

But he returned to full training the day before United travelled down to Champneys in Leicestershire for a mini three-day break.

Wright (25) will be hoping to step up his work in training next week to put himself back into contention for the Iron's trip to Ipswich next Saturday.

Since the injury on his debut to on-loan defender Brendan Moloney, who has now returned to Nottingham Forest, Wright's recovery is crucial for United.

He provides cover on both full-back flanks for manager Nigel Adkins.

Most of Wright's first-team chances have been in the right-back role. That enables United to switch skipper Cliff Byrne to the centre of the defence.

That's an option that could be handy for the Iron boss in the final 12 games.