This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Chris Wingert has an itch he can't scratch. And it's not coming from inside the long cast that coats much of his left wrist and forearm.No, the Real Salt Lake defender is in the mood to play. He believes he's ready following a 45-minute stint Sunday in a reserve game."It felt great," he said. "I don't feel too rusty, I've been practicing."Wingert would love to play against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. The New York native will have "a million people coming...family and friends from home."But I have a feeling [RSL coaches and trainers] won't allow me to do that. But you never know, maybe I can talk them into it."Wingert fractured his wrist during a 1-0 loss at Toronto in mid-August. He wore a thin pad on the cast Sunday. He was able to react to game situations without worrying about the injury.The injury Sunday to Tony Beltran won't effect Wingert's status."But in my mind it was like, 'Oh man.' I felt good yesterday and Wednesday is right around the corner."