I can fill Vieira’s boots, says Parlour

RAY PARLOUR has told Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger he is ready to step into the mighty boots of crocked captain Patrick Vieira – despite only just returning from his own injury which kept him out of action for nearly 12 weeks.

French star Vieira looks set to miss the Gunners' Barclaycard Premiership clash with fierce North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday after Wenger's gamble of playing him in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Valencia backfired.

Vieira, rated just 24 hours earlier by Wenger as only a "40-60 against" chance to face the Spaniards because of a left thigh strain, had to quit the match seven minutes before half-time when he felt pain in his right thigh.