We can rebuild Bridge: Mancini tells Fabio to pick 'the best left back of all'

05 February 2010 01:03
Roberto Mancini has revealed the mental torment Wayne Bridge has suffered over his ex-girlfriend's affair with England team-mate John Terry.[LNB]But he insisted the Manchester City defender is ready to return to action and prove himself as the best left-back in the country, increasing the likelihood of Bridge and Terry playing together at this summer's World Cup.[LNB]Mancini confirmed he has spoken to both Bridge and Fabio Capello's assistant Franco Baldini about the scandal since it broke last weekend.[LNB] Bridge: In training for Manchester City last week[LNB] The City boss told Baldini the player is suffering in the wake ofrevelations that his old Chelsea teammate had a four-month fling withVanessa Perroncel, Bridge's ex-partner and the mother of histhree-year-old son.[LNB]But he reassured Capello's right-hand man that it has not affectedBridge's work on the training ground as he recovers from a two-monthinjury lay-off. [LNB]Mancini said: 'Baldini asked me about Wayne. I told him that he istraining every day and it's not a good moment in his head, but it's nota problem on the training ground.[LNB]'For me, it's important he can play now and not think about the other person.[LNB]'That's his private life. In Italy it would be different but Iprefer not to speak about it. All I know is that he is a fantastic manand a fantastic player.[LNB]'It is very important to behave when you are a role model but Idon't want to talk about that. I have too much respect for Wayne andhis son.' [LNB]Capello has told Baldini to canvass opinion among the England squadbefore he makes a final decision today (fri) over Terry's future asEngland captain.[LNB]Mancini encountered Baldini by chance when he turned up at Wembleyon Monday for a work permit hearing in relation to City's attempts tobuy Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga from Parma.[LNB]City slicker: Wayne Bridge could return for the clash with Hull on Sunday[LNB]Their conversation could now clear the way for Bridge to continuehis international career against Egypt at Wembley next month, withCapello ready to welcome him back into the fold.[LNB]Mancini admitted he did not know if and when the 29-year-old willplay for England again, but he has no doubts Bridge is good enoughafter claiming he is the best player in his position in the countryahead of Terry's Chelsea teammate and Capello's first-choice left-backAshley Cole.[LNB]'Wayne plays in the national team and he's the best left-back inEngland and the Premier League,' added Mancini. 'That's the mostimportant thing for me and the other players.[LNB]'He is still good on the pitch where he is working very well and forme that is what is important - for me, other things are not important.'[LNB]Bridge joined City from Chelsea for £12m just over a year ago, buthas not played since suffering a medial knee ligament injury againsthis old club at Eastlands in early December.[LNB]He is ready to return to action at Hull tomorrow (sat), ironicallyon the same ground where Terry was taunted mercilessly in midweek.[LNB]It once again revealed the depth of feeling around the countrytowards the England skipper, who faced an equally hostile receptionwhen Chelsea played at Burnley last weekend in the immediate aftermathof allegations over his affair with the 33-year-old lingerie model.[LNB]It will certainly provide a fascinating backdrop to City's visit toStamford Bridge at the end of this month when Bridge and Terry willcome face to face for the first time since the story broke.[LNB]Mancini confirmed he has spoken to his player about the situationthis week, and believes that getting back on the pitch will only helpBridge through a traumatic time in his life.[LNB]Asked if he thought the defender was in the right mental state toplay, Mancini said: 'Yes. I spoke with him two days ago, three days agoand yesterday. He wants to play on Saturday and I think he can play.'He has been working with us for 10 days after his injury.[LNB] Shocking: Wayne Bridge is reported to have been distressed after allegations that John Terry had an affair with ex-girlfriend were published[LNB]'For me, he's liking this moment because he can play football. Onthe pitch he can think about the Premier League and not think about theother situation.' [LNB]However, Mancini has urged his players not to stage another publicshow of support for their teammate after Carlos Tevez, Nigel de Jongand Stephen Ireland wore 'Team Bridge' T-shirts in last Sunday's winover Portsmouth.[LNB]Although Bridge has the full support of the club and those aroundhim, City feel they have made their statement and do want to be seen toinflame a scandal engulfing the England captain.[LNB]Having initially welcomed the gesture, Mancini called on his playersto draw a line under the issue and leave their T-shirts in thedressing-room.[LNB]He added: 'I was pleased about the players wearing those T-shirtsbecause it showed they are close to Wayne. I like him because he is agood man.[LNB]'They used the shirts after the Portsmouth game and now it'sfinished because it's important that we think about other things. Wemust think about the game.' [LNB] Capello warned Terry affair could have devastating effect on World Cup hopesVieira licking his lips at prospect of finally making City against Hull CityMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail