Vieira comeback on ice? Monday 31 December, 2007
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Patrick Vieira’s return to fitness could take longer than expected, as the Inter midfielder won’t be attending a January training camp in Dubai.
“It has been a long, frustrating and difficult time because I had one injury after another,” he told French website Sport24.com.
“I would have preferred to pick up one serious problem and know I was going to be out for five or six months then return to full fitness rather than have this series of disappointments.”
Former Arsenal and Juventus star Vieira has made just three appearances this season, the last in the 2-1 Champions League victory away to CSKA Moscow on October 23.
This comes after only 28 games in all club competition for 2006-07 and a succession of injury concerns still don’t seem to be resolved.
The Nerazzurri are heading to Dubai for a mid-season training camp on Wednesday, but it is reported Vieira will not be going with them.
He will continue his intensive physiotherapy and training regime at the Pinetina ground in Milan instead.
Also staying behind are long-term injuries Olivier Dacourt, Walter Samuel and Francesco Toldo, but Dejan Stankovic and Luis Jimenez will fly out in a bid to achieve full fitness.
“There is nothing worse than playing for three games, being out injured for six weeks, returning and getting another injury,” continued Vieira.
“I didn’t lose hope, kept my patience and always thought I’d be back to my best, especially ahead of the 2008 European Championships in June.
“I am following the training regime and if everything goes well I should come back for Inter’s friendly tests in Dubai in January.”
According to the latest reports, that target has already been missed.