Patrick Vieira could return to the Arsenal side next Saturday against Middlesbrough.
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Vieira: Thigh problem
(NigelFrench/Empics) |
Manager Arsene Wenger said he was optmistic his injured skipper would be back against Steve McClaren's side after missing the North London derby.
The French international aggravated a thigh strain in the 0-0 draw with Valencia on Tuesday.
And with Ray Parlour and Edu both fully fit, Wenger is keen to rest World Cup winner Gilberto Silva and hinted he may sit out the Boro game if Vieira returns.
The Brazilian has already played 25 games for Arsenal this season, a total topped by only Sylvain Wiltord and Thierry Henry.
'There is a good chance for next Saturday but I don't know. We'll need to look at it this week,' he told the club's official website.
'I would like to rotate because Gilberto has played every game and that after coming from the World Cup.'
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