TOMMY WRIGHT has challenged Joe Wheatley to regain focus and prove he should return to Darlington’s starting XI.

The talented midfielder has been left out Quakers’ team for the last two games, and not even named among the substitutes for Saturday’s win over Curzon Ashton and Tuesday’s draw at Tamworth, though he did take part in the warm-up before each match.

Having been a regular member of the starting XI for most of the season, the former Middlesbrough youth team player has been dropped soon after being selected to go on trial at the V9 Academy in the summer, and having been named on the standby list for the England C team, the non-league international squad.

“For the last two games and in training Joe has lost a little bit of focus. We have spoken to him in-depth about it,” explained Wright.

“When you’re a young lad and you’re getting the attention that he has been getting, it’s easy to start dreaming a little bit bigger, and that’s not fair on the boys.

“I think Wheats realises now that he’s really got to put in a shift. He’ll be judged on performances in training and if he performs he’ll get back in the team.”

Wheatley’s last two appearances came in the defeat at Brackley on February 17, and a week later in a home win over Kidderminster Harriers, when the 21-year-old was replaced by Leon Scott on 69 minutes.

Wright added: “Brackley away I think he was ill and we were poor as a whole, and he got subbed in the Kidderminster game and he looked quite jaded.

“I’ve spoken to him about it, he’s prepared to work and his next opportunity after being left out is going to come in training on Thursday.

“The challenge to him is to show me the real Joe Wheatley, and if Joe performs, contract situation or not, he will be available for selection.”

Wheatley, a Martin Gray signing last summer, is out of contract at the end of the season, though Quakers would entitled to compensation should he choose leave.

“There’s always going to be speculation, but Wheats hasn’t said anything,” added Wright.

“He’s got the V9, he’s got England C, and I think he’s starting to think he can get a move back into the Football League. If that’s his dream I won’t stand in his way.

“He’s 21, he’s under the Bosman ruling until he’s 24, so if he decides to leave the club will be compensated.”

Josh Heaton, another of Darlington’s talented youngsters, was a surprise omission at Tamworth, though his absence was more straightforward.

Wright explained: “Josh was unavailable due to a family holiday. He went on Sunday, and he sprang it on me at the last minute.

“His dad had booked it as a surprise for his mam when this fixture was going to be played on a Saturday, obviously it backfired a little bit.”

Heaton will return to the squad on Saturday when Darlington play at home to North Ferriby.