Five things to know about Bailey Wright, Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos bolter for World Cup

BAILEY who? Not many people know about Bailey Wright — Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s bolter for Brazil. We’re here to help.

BAILEY who? Not many people know about Bailey Wright — Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s bolter for Brazil. We’re here to help.

Postecoglou named his preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup on Wednesday, with untried youngsters Wright, Josh Brilliante and Ben Halloran getting the nod.

Here’s five things you need to know about Bailey Wright.

1 — Wright is a 22-year-old centre-back who plays for Preston North End in England’s third tier, League One. He has run out for his club side 44 times this season, scoring an impressive four goals, leading to Postecoglou scouting him personally in February.

2 — After being overlooked for the Australian Institute of Sport, Wright moved to England in 2009 after being offered a scholarship at Preston. His impressive rise up the club ranks saw him named PNE’s young player of the season in 2013. The uncompromising defender has modelled his game on former Manchester United powerhouse Nemanja Vidic.

3 — Wright was one of six Preston players arrested, and subsequently bailed, in relation to spot-fixing in April this year. The Socceroos hopeful and his five teammates have all claimed their innocence over the matter.

Preston North End's Bailey Wright tackles Coventry City's Leon Clarke.

4 -The defender’s club side is currently in the middle of a two-leg semi-final playoff tie against Rotheram for a spot in the Championship next season. The tie is poised at 1-1 after the first leg, with the second to be played at New York Stadium on Friday morning (AEST). Should PNE advance, the playoff final takes place in England on May 25 — a day before the Socceroos’ friendly against South Africa in Sydney. Wright would in all likelihood choose his club side and would have to rely on his form in England this season to earn him a spot in Postecoglou’s final 23-man squad, which will has to be finalised by June 2.

5 — Wright has worn the green and old before. He was a member of the Australia Under 17 squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Under 16 World Cup Qualifiers, narrowly missing a place at the 2009 FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

Originally published as Five things to know about Bailey Wright, Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos bolter for World Cup