Worry over Vieira

Arsene Wenger is worried about rushing back an "impatient" Patrick Vieira.

Vieira will end a "nightmare" two months tonight when he makes his comeback against Wolves in the Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Highbury.

The Arsenal captain was forced off against Newcastle on 26 September with a thigh problem and aggravated the injury after appearing as a substitute against Dynamo Kiev five weeks ago.

Wenger, who later said Vieira had come back too quickly for that Champions League match, said today: "Patrick will play from the start against Wolves but I am a little bit cautious. He is always very impatient to start and at the moment he looks to be ready.

"It is important to have Patrick back. How long he will last I don't know, maybe an hour."

Vieira said: "I've been working hard with fitness coach Tony Colbert for the last 10 days and I'm feeling good. The last couple of months have been a nightmare to be honest. I just want to play so much."

Wenger rested some of his bigger names against Rotherham in the previous round of the Carling Cup and he is ready to maintain that policy tonight.

"I will play the kids again - you'll get a chance to see some of the youngsters against Wolves," he said. "I hope to use Michal Papadopulos at some point during the match."

Striker Sylvain Wiltord is available after recovering from a groin problem but both Lauren and Martin Keown are out through suspension.