Abby Brammell

Showdown: Terry and Bridge (right) meet for the first time since it was revealed the Chelsea star had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of his fellow defender


Wayne Bridge will play for Manchester City at Chelsea.

Although Bridge pulled out of the World Cup, City boss Roberto Mancini feels he is in the right frame to play at Stamford Bridge - and face John Terry.

'I think Wayne is okay,' said Mancini. 'I don't know what has happened in the last two weeks but I am sorry for him.

But mentally he is fine. He is an important player for us and we want him to play.'

Only a fortnight ago Mancini expressed confidence that Bridge would go to South Africa, despite the obvious issues with Terry over his affair with Vanessa Perroncel, the mother of Bridge's young son.

So it came as a shock to both Mancini and England coach Fabio Capello when Bridge released his statement yesterday saying that his position within the Three Lions fold was now 'untenable'.

'I thought Wayne would stay with the national team,' said Mancini. 'It must have been a very difficult decision because I know how important the national team is for any player.

'He didn't speak to me before he made the decision. I don't know what has changed, but he has changed his decision because I thought that he would play for the national team. But I respect what he has done.

'It is not affecting the club or the dressing room. He is a strong character, who has a strong mentality.'

Mancini skirted the issue of whether Terry should be the one backing out of the England set-up, and could shed no light either on whether Bridge will shake Terry's hand in traditional pre-match fashion.

'Wayne must only think about the game,' said Mancini. 'He is a very good player and a good man. I hope he will play well tomorrow.

'But it is difficult for me to speak about this whole situation. I have respect for Wayne and his family, so I don't want to say any more.'

Meanwhile, Mancini confirmed City would not appeal against the red card shown to Emmanuel Adebayor at Stoke on Wednesday.

It means Adebayor will be banned for four games, starting at Chelsea, the additional match coming as a result of his previous suspension for violent conduct when he stamped on Robin van Persie earlier this season.

The one piece of good news for City was confirmation that Carlos Tevez has arrived in London and will be reunited with his team-mates later this afternoon.

Mancini will assess the Argentina star's fitness before deciding whether to name Tevez in his starting line-up at Stamford Bridge.
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source: dailymail