Roberto Mancini will not call time on Wayne Bridge’s Manchester City career

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has said he will not call time on Wayne Bridge’s Manchester City career despite the player’s injury problems.

Bridge’s first team appearances have been limited this season due to a variety of different injuries that have kept him out of the side. However, Mancini says he is still a very good player and admits
it’s unfortunate he keeps getting injured.

“It’s very difficult if a player is always injured, it’s very difficult that he can play.
He started to play again in the first (Europa League) game in Salzburg and after 70 minutes was injured. He played against Blackpool and got injured. He played in Poznan and after 70 minutes he got injured,” Mancini said
on the Sky Sports website.

Mancini says it is up to the player to prove his desire and commitment to the Manchester City cause. He has also pointed out that when Bridge has been fit and sharp, he has
always started or been involved around first team games.

“It’s impossible that he can play [at the moment]. Every time he was available he
played. It depends on him [future at the club] as he’s always injured and he can’t finish (games),” he added.

Unfortunately Bridge’s injury problems are in very fragile areas. He has suffered from hamstring and groin strains so far this season, which are areas that are tested in every
single game. They are also areas, which restrict the amount of recovery that the club can force on the player to get him fitter faster.

“If he’s available he’s part of the group. He’s been unlucky. It’s a physical problem:
always hamstring or groin,” said the Italian.

Betting advice

Wayne Bridge is not the pinnacle of the Manchester City defence. The club has coped without him for a number of spells. However, he is a good player and adds quality to the team
when he plays. Back the side to concede very few games when Bridge manages to get himself fit and stays fit over a long period.