Source: PA
Vieira ready to prove worth
Patrick Vieira is finally ready to show Manchester City why manager Roberto Mancini was so keen to sign him from Inter Milan.
The former France skipper arrived in January with an injury Mancini thought was minor but turned out to be serious enough to restrict him to just nine league and cup appearances as City failed to overcome Tottenham in the battle for a Champions League slot.
Yet Mancini still awarded Vieira a new year-long contract extension, convinced the 33-year-old can be a positive influence on his new-look squad.
Vieira must improve because now he has to justify his place given he has kept fans favourite Stephen Ireland out of the squad for next week's Europa League qualifier against Timisoara.
But the former Arsenal man is confident he is up to the task, saying: "Last season was frustrating for me. It is never easy when you arrive at a new club and are already injured.
"You want to get back as soon as you can but physically you are always behind the other players. It was quite tough and difficult but I was happy with the way I played in the last few games."
