A little-known 21-year-old English lower league player who was recently embroiled in a spot-fixing scandal is set to be a shock selection in Ange Postecoglou's Australian World Cup squad.
Fox Sports News on Tuesday night reported that Preston North End central defender Bailey Wright will be named in the Socceroos' preliminary 30-man squad for Brazil when it is officially announced on Wednesday.
Melbourne-born Wright has been a fixture for the third-tier League One side for the last two years after being signed to a scholarship in 2009.
He has played three games for the Australian under-17 team.
In April he was one of six Preston North End players who were arrested and bailed in what has been described as English football's biggest ever spot-fixing investigation.
The players were arrested as part of a wider probe into suspected conspiracy to commit acts of bribery and money laundering.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing with those involved expected to answer bail at the end of June.
All players have denied any wrong doing and the allegations do not affect Bailey's eligibility for the World Cup.
Wright has also been allowed to finish the season with Preston North End, which is on the cusp of being elevated to the Championship.
Bailey almost gave away the game after graduating from the Victorian Institute of Sport and being overlooked by all A-League clubs.
"I'm just looking forward to (the World Cup) and seeing what it's all about," he said.
"My mum keeps texting me saying she can't sleep. You know what mums are like. My dad as well."
Australia's final 23-man squad will be named on June 2.
The Socceroos have a dearth of central defending options, former captain Lucas Neill already scratched by Postecoglou after a lack of game time over the last six months.
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