Vieira backs top-four push

Vieira: Feeling confident

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Patrick Vieira is confident Manchester City are strong enough to qualify for the UEFA Champions League and was satisfied to come through his first 90 minutes for the club.

The experienced midfielder joined City from Inter Milan in January and made his debut as a substitute in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Hull City.

He was handed his first start against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night and played the full game as a 2-0 win lifted City level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool.

With City also having a game in hand on Liverpool, former Arsenal skipper Vieira feels his current club are in a good position to finish in the top four.

Very confident

"I really believe we are strong enough to finish in the top four," said Vieira.

"There's still a long way to go. It's important to win each game and see where we can go, but we are very confident.

"This was my first 90 minutes for quite some time and I feel all right. It was very physical, of course, and when you play against Bolton you expect this kind of game.

"The important thing was to win the game after the defeat at Hull and we are very pleased to have done that."

Meanwhile, City boss Roberto Mancini can see no reason why Vieira should not play on for another three seasons.

Mancini said of the 33-year-old: "I played until I was 36 and I was still playing well.

"I won the Scudetto at that age, so I see no reason why Patrick can't carry on as well.

"First of all I hope he can play another 15 games for us in the league this season because his performances are going to be very important."