The Chelsea winger has earned the plaudits following an impressive start to the new campaign, which was capped by the opening goal in England's 3-0 victory over Israel at Wembley on Saturday.

Some may have questioned just what lay ahead for the 25-year-old when his career seemed to have stalled somewhat following a big-money move to Stamford Bridge during the summer of 2005. However, the former Manchester City player was more than content to let matters take their course.

Wright-Phillips looks set to retain his place on the flank for the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia at Wembley on Wednesday night, having formed an impressive partnership with full-back Micah Richards.

Yet the Chelsea man - step-son to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright - is happy enough to take whatever comes in his stride.

"I am not really a negative thinker - I always try to think positive," said Wright-Phillips, who has tattoos on his arms which translate as 'love and harmony' and 'family is love'.

"It also comes from my mum, friends and family. There is no point for me in thinking negative.

"If you have nice people around you then you will always be level-headed - even if sometimes when you think things are bad it is not so bad, because you have the right people around you.

"Life has to be a positive thing. You are the only person who can make it happen."

Wright-Phillips added: "I just put my head down and worked hard. That should be the main thing.

"I have never worried about not playing enough. For me I am a great believer that things happen for a reason.

"Obviously while people have said I have not been playing, I have been learning and have had my head down and worked hard."

There had been high hopes for Wright-Phillips following an impressive international debut during the friendly against Ukraine at St James' Park in August 2004, when he netted a fine individual goal.

However, despite featuring in the subsequent World Cup qualifiers, the winger was left out of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the finals.

Wright-Phillips, though, made sure he "just relaxed and socialised" over the summer, taking in the tournament on TV during a vacation in Spain with friends.

The clean break clearly did him the power of good and he is determined to take something positive from the whole experience.

"That was the key thing, time to switch off, so when I came back I was fully focused on the job itself," Wright-Phillips said.

"I think it made me more positive, more determined to be involved in the next stuff coming up.

"Sometimes you have to use things that don't go your way and turn it into a driving force."

Wright-Phillips added: "Anything that happens in life along the way will make you mentally stronger."

Following his impressive recent form, there have been suggestions Wright-Phillips should now become a permanent fixture on the right side of England's midfield - ahead of former skipper David Beckham, who is currently out with a knee problem as he embarks on a new career with Los Angeles Galaxy in America.

The Chelsea winger, however, is not about to be drawn into the merits of just who should be in Steve McClaren's plans.

"For me it was a plus - to have anybody with qualities like Becks in the England squad cannot be a negative thing," he said.

"All it does is make the competition higher which means every player has to be better, so for me and the country that makes it better."

Wright-Phillips added: "The England team is not about me - it is about the country and any player who comes in and makes it better, I am all for that.

"When Becks is fit it will obviously be nice to have him back in the squad because of the qualities he carries.

"At the end of the day, the decision is down to the manager."