Lynden Gooch has taken to Instagram to send a message to Bailey Wright following the Australian's departure from Sunderland.

As confirmed by Sunderland's official website yesterday, Wright has joined Rotherham United on loan until the end of the season.

Wright and Gooch both featured regularly for the Black Cats last season as the club secured promotion to Championship via the play-offs.

However, while Gooch has gone on to start 19 games in the second-tier during the current campaign, Wright slipped down the pecking order at the Stadium of Light following the arrival of Daniel Ballard.

The centre-back was deployed as a substitute in 10 of the 14 league games that he participated in for Sunderland before moving to Rotherham on deadline day.

Wright will now be looking to play a key role for the Millers as they aim to retain their Championship status for another year.

Rotherham are currently 20th in the league standings and are set to face Sheffield United on Saturday.

Sunderland meanwhile are just two points adrift of the play-off places and will be looking to back up their recent victory over Middlesbrough by securing a positive result in their showdown with Millwall this weekend.

After Wright sealed a loan move to Rotherham, Gooch decided to send him a message of encouragement on Instagram using the Stories feature.

Gooch posted: "See you soon mate, go smash it @baileywright6."

The Verdict

When you consider that Wright possesses a great deal of experience at this level, there is every chance that he will go on to enjoy a successful loan spell at Rotherham.

The defender knows what it takes to compete in the second-tier as he has represented Sunderland, Preston North End and Bristol City in this division during his career to date.

Given that Wright's contract at Sunderland is not set to expire until the summer of 2024, there is a possibility that he could go on to feature for the club again next season if he impresses in a Rotherham shirt.

In the absence of the defender, the Black Cats will be hoping that the likes of Ballard, Danny Batth and Joe Anderson will be able to produce some assured displays at centre-back.