Ian WRIGHT

Although one of the most lethal goalscorers English football has ever seen, Ian Wright found it tough to adapt his all-action and droll style of striker to the international arena, which ultimately cost him caps and at least one, possibly two, places at an international tournament. Graham Taylor wisely called him up for his debut in February 1991 (see photo above), when Wright was an unstoppable and hungry goalgetter for an overachieiving Crystal Palace side. He didn't settle down in the game against Cameroon but Taylor kept faith as the year progressed, picking him for non-competitive games to give him a feel of the international arena while also using him as a sub in the more important fixtures in the hope he could add one moment of inspiration to help the cause. Wright came on as a sub for Gary Lineker for his second cap as England sought a winner against the Republic of Ireland in a qualifier for the 1992 Euroepan Championships at Wembley, but it didn't come. He started a sumer mini-tournament game against the Soviet Union at Wembley and came on as a sub against New Zealand during the subsequent Australasian tour, but he couldn't transfer his infectious, volatile club persona to the international stage, even in unpressured games against unheralded opposition. England qualified for the European Championships without him but Taylor liked Wright and, having joined Arsenal and immediately set about scoring the goals that would ultimately break the club record, he was clearly an outlet worth pursuing. One concern was Wright's long-term prospects - he was already approaching 29 - three years Lineker's junior - while the likes of Alan Shearer and Nigel Clough were younger and deemed more worthy of investment.

However, Ian's form at club level could not be ignored and Taylor, as if pleading with Wright to repay his faith, threw him on as a sub against Hungary in May 1992. England won 1-0 but again Ian couldn't get into the game, and Taylor ultimately left him out of the squad for the European Championships, at which England were abjectly removed after the group phase. He returned for the qualifying group for the 1994 World Cup and this time had a real point to prove as Lineker had retired and there was a vacanacy for a chief goalscorer. But it wasn't until the sixth qualifier - by which time England had drawn two games they should have won - that Wright opened his goalscoring account for his country, getting a late equaliser after coming on as a sub against Poland in Katowice which dulled England's qualification hopes still further. It was his ninth cap and he featured in the next six games without scoring as England ultimately saw their hopes of qualification dashed by defeats in Norway and Holland. With the pressure off but the disappointment evident, Wright took his anger out on San Marino in the miracles-only final qualifier, scoring four times in a 7-1 win, notably not celebrating any of his goals. It was the first England foursome since Lineker two years earlier in Kuala Lumpur and heralded the end of Taylors' tenure. Finally the coach's faith had been repaid, but it was far too late. (Matthew Rudd)

Prolific and genuinely feared in the domestic game, Ian Wright had reason to hope that new England coach Terry Venables could bring the best out of his obvious scoring capabilities. Venables played Wright four times in 1994 without ever appearing convinced that anyone other than Alan Shearer was his best choice as England's main goalscorer. Ian had injury and disciplinary troubles but if there was ever an omission made by Venables over his two-year tenure in the job which raised eyebrows, it was that of Wright. The Arsenal striker played his 20th England game in October 1994 as England drew 1-1 with Romania; he didn't return for more than two years, missing the 1996 European Championships entirely. Venables departed, and Glenn Hoddle called Wright up for his campaign to reach the 1998 World Cup. Ian, 33 years of age and still scoring frequently for Arsenal, took his chance with glee, coming on as a sub in a 2-0 win over Moldova. He also featured as a sub in the next qualifier - the crucial and infamous 1-0 Wembley defeat to Italy - before finally bulging an opposition net in England colours again when he scored the opener in a friendly win over South Africa at Old Trafford. He also scored against Italy in the summer's Tournoi de France tournament as England won 2-0, and then put away a superb brace against Moldova in the penultimate qualifier as England won 4-0 and went to Rome knowing a draw against Italy was enough. Although England's awesome defence ruled, Wright nearly made the result and England's destiny secure in the closing seconds when he rounded the goalkeeper yet hit the post from a tight angle, but the draw was enough.

England were going to the World Cup and Ian, although he was in his transitional season with Arsenal whereby he would feature in fewer games, seemed certain to acquire a place in the squad. Tragically for him, a close-season injury ruled him out of the trip to France, ultimately making sure that he would never grace the finals of an international tournament. Wright also left Arsenal that summer - ending his distinguished career there with the League and Cup double - and joined West Ham United, seemingly putting his England career behind him. However, Hoddle gave him two more caps at the end of 1998 and might have awarded more had his own foot-in-mouth moment not robbed him of his job. Wright was 36 years old when he played his last England game and his enthusiasm and obvious gifts meant everyone was on his side, even though for some reason he couldn't score the goals when he and his country needed them. It remains a real source of wonderment as to what Ian Wright could have done had he been let loose on an international tournament, but in his case, his luck wasn't in. His enthusiasm for England has since spilled over into a unique brand of punditry for the BBC, to the extent that a bad performance or a defeat would result in a sulk and a silence, just like the reaction of any ordinary fan. (Matthew Rudd)