03 December,2010 08:38 AM IST | | Agencies
Patrick Vieira has voiced his frustration at his limited number of appearances at Manchester City.
Vieira helped Roberto Mancini's side cement a place in the last 32 of the Europa League after playing the full 90 minutes of the 3-0 win over Salzburg on Wednesday.
It was Vieira's sixth start for City this season, but the World Cup winner with France is expected to return to the substitutes bench when Mancini's team entertain high-flying neighbours Bolton in the Premier League at Eastlands here on Saturday.
"Am I frustrated at not playing more? Yes, of course, I'm frustrated," said Vieira.
"But I'm not the only one who is frustrated," the former Arsenal midfielder added. "I think when you see the squad and how big it is, of course many players will be disappointed and frustrated not to play that often.
"When I have an opportunity like this, it's important that I show the manager he can count on me.
"I hope that I have scored a few points for the next game. I knew how difficult it would be to play often, but I keep working hard because I never know when the manager will need me and I will be here.
"I'm here because I want to bring some things to the football club on the pitch and off the pitch.
"First of all, on the pitch because I feel like I can give something to the football club. It's up to me to show to the manager that I deserve to play.
"We have some great players in the middle, like Gareth (Barry) and Nigel (de Jong), who have been brilliant since the start of the season."
Mancini is likely to make wholesale changes as big-spenders City look to put their domestic stutters behind them.
Republic of Ireland keeper Shay Given and Brazilian striker Jo, who both played against Salzburg, are likely to make way for Joe Hart and Carlos Tevez respectively.
City have slipped from second to fourth in the table and start the weekend five points adrift of leaders Manchester United after winning just two of their previous seven league games.
By contrast, Bolton are a team in form. Unbeaten in five, Owen Coyle's unfashionable side could leapfrog Mancini's men if they win at City for the first time in four years.
After defeating Champions League contenders Tottenham Hotspur and holding Manchester United to a 2-2 draw earlier in the season, this is a big test for Bolton, who could have former City winger Martin Petrov in their side.
The Bulgaria international came off the bench to score in last week's 2-2 draw with Blackpool and is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.
"Martin is desperate to play and rightly so," said Coyle.
"He is a top player. He was in the team and got injured and Matt Taylor has come in and done well.
"Martin has had to be patient but he works his socks off in training and is a consummate professional in how he looks after himself and his body.
"He came on (against Blackpool), scored a goal and could've had a couple more. If you're not in the team of course you're frustrated, but they (the players left out) are part of the group and they know it."
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