I was just constantly trying to get in touch... then, bam, he's gone. It's tough, I miss him...

Footie legend fights back tears as he prepares for two funerals. He admits, 'It's been tough but you just have to get on with it'

- PHIL CARDY

FOOTIE legend lan Wright fought back tears as he spoke about the sudden death of big brother Nicky.

Ian was already reeling from the loss of ex-Arsenal teammate Kevin Campbell when Nicky, 65, died from what are thought to be natural causes.

The ex-England striker, 60, now steeling himself for both funerals, admitted: "It's been a tough summer." The former Match of the Day pundit told The Overlap's Stick to Football podcast: "Obviously my man Kevin Campbell and then a couple of weeks later losing my brother.

"It's just been one of those where you just have to get it on with it, man.

"It catches you every now and then.

I'm driving along and I'm thinking of my brother. He was a really good cricketer, a good footballer.

"You know, he didn't come up to the house as often as I'd like but that's because he's just a loner.

"You're constantly trying to get in touch with him to do something and then, bam, he's gone." Wrighty told the podcast, hosted by old pals Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Jill Scott: "I'm going to Kevin's funeral tomorrow and then my brother's on August 30.

"It's tough, man. Now I feel pretty much in control but I know at some stage later on it just catches you.

"You just have to deal with it. It helps being among people. Grieving is a process. You never know when it's going to come and it's not like it ever leaves you.

"I just don't know what to say. I just miss him, I miss them both." Kevin, who played for Arsenal, Everton and Nottingham Forest, died in June, age 54, from organ failure after a heart infection.

Ian had a difficult upbringing with big brothers Maurice and Nicky and younger sister Dionne.