31-year-old Wright suffered a minor tear in his cruciate knee ligament and scans have revealed that the former Arsenal, Everton and West Ham keeper will be absent for up to four months.
Championship strugglers, Ipswich were rocked when Bosnian loan goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was recalled by parent club Portsmouth a fortnight ago, and Wright’s latest injury puts further strain on the Town squad.
Former Hartlepool and Weymouth ace Arran Lee-Barratt is the Blues’ most senior fit keeper available and he, along with untried teen, Ian McLoughlin will fight for the starting role this weekend for the visit to Bristol City.
Lee-Barratt played the remaining hour of Ipswich’s 2-1 victory at Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon and his confident display will have given Keane confidence in the 25-year-old to fill in over the next month.
In November the Suffolk side announced a pre-contract agreement with League of Ireland Player of the Season, Brian Murphy. The Bohemians ace has emerged as a contender for the Republic of Ireland squad and his move across the water into English football in January appears to be a strong career move.
This latest setback sums up Ipswich’s season so far, however the Blues appear to be making headway in recent weeks with a seven-game unbeaten run in the league. Town are just a point from safety now and despite their worst ever start to a league season sit only 12 points off the top six.
