Vieira poised to lift Les Bleus

French skipper in contention to face Italy

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 16th June 2008

Vieira poised to lift Les Bleus

Vieira: Close to a return

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Patrick Vieira is nearing a return to full fitness, just in time to help rescue France's Euro 2008 campaign.

Les Bleus have secured just a solitary point from their two Group C fixtures to date and are in grave danger of being sent packing before the knockout stages get underway.

A dour 0-0 draw with Romania in their opening game was followed by a disastrous 4-1 mauling by Holland on Friday.

Those results mean that their destiny is out of their hands, with victory over Italy on Tuesday not guaranteed to book a place in the last eight.

France must now hope that Romania slip up against the impressive Dutch, while taking maximum points from the Azzuri.

Desire

Big personalities with big game experience will be required against the World Champions, and Raymond Domenech is hoping that he will be able to call upon the services of his influential skipper for the first time in the tournament.

"Patrick Vieira? He's better, he's training normally," said the France boss.

"He could play against Italy, we're doing all we can to get him ready to play in this Euro.

"We'll carry out a review to find out where we are with the players and who is up to playing a difficult third match.

"We'll see who is right both physically and mentally, who has the desire for this unique game."

Judgement

Asked if he was concerned that the Dutch would take it easy in their final game with a place in the quarter-finals already secured Domenech insisted that he will not worry himself with the actions of others.

"It's us who have put ourselves in this situation. I'm not going to judge anyone else," he said.

"If the boot was on the other foot and I was in the Netherland's position I wouldn't worry about other teams.

"The present situation means it's outside of our hands, but there still remains a small chance."