Patrick Vieira admits that not playing regular first-team football at Manchester City is tough but he is determined to stay and fight for his place (City 7/10 – 90 minutes v Juventus).

The 34-year-old made the switch from Inter Milan to Eastlands during last season’s January transfer window but, with such a talented squad around him, has failed to secure regular first-team football.

The former Arsenal star has made just one appearance so far this term and scored the equaliser as City fought back to earn a 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rover on September 11.

Despite a lack of playing time, the former France international is content with the way he is playing and hopes to force his way into the thoughts of City boss Roberto Mancini.

“I have been happy with my form since the start of season,” he said. “It is difficult when you play one game every month. I need to work harder than everyone else to show the manager can count on me.

“I just want to enjoy myself. I am involved in a fantastic challenge with this club and really want to be part of it.”

City welcome Italian giants Juventus to Eastlands on Thursday night in the Europa League, with the Serie A side currently struggling domestically.

The Old Lady have garnered just seven points from their first five games and no longer have the air if invincibility that they had under Marcello Lippi.

The Turin side only managed a draw with Lech Poznan in their opening Europa league match but Vieira believes his old team will join his present employers in the later stages of Europe’s second tier competition (Juve 7/4 to win Group A).

“I think they are going through a difficult period,” he added. “Maybe it is not the best Juventus side in the last few years but they are still a really competitive team.

“It will be difficult for us to find the space to play but we have players who can give them problems as well. Our strength is the squad. We can be competitive in every competition we are involved in.”

Whether Vieira gets the nod on Thursday night is open to question but defender Micah Richards could return to the side after recovering from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea.

Shaun Wright-Phillips is rated as doubtful with a knee problem while left-backs Wayne Bridge and Aleksandar Kolarov are definitely out.

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