Arsenal gaffer Arsene Wenger is currently preparing his troops for the first leg of the Champions League tie with Serie A outfit Roma.

The wily Frenchman has revealed that midfielder Cesc Fabregas, the man he made club captain earlier in the season, has been nipping his ear, insisting that he can play.

The young Spaniard has been sidelined with a knee injury and won't be back until next month, leading Wenger to curb his enthusiasm.

The boss is quoted as saying in The Star, "Cesc says he could play tomorrow but I have to tell him it is not possible. The doctor will tell him [when he can play].

"He's itching to get back, but he is definitely not in the squad and not for the second leg either. After that, however, he wont be far off if all goes well.

"In two or three weeks he will be in normal training. He could play now, but medial ligaments take six to eight weeks to heal properly."

The last thing Wenger wants is for Fabregas to have problems for the rest of his career because of one rushed comeback. Still, both men will hope that the Gunners' season is still alive by the time the captain is ready for action.