Bridge eyes weekend return

With Ashley Cole out injured and Ferreira doubtful for the trip to Wigan this weekend, Bridge is optimistic he may get a chance of a first full league game since May following injury and suspension.

Bridge said: "I'm fighting with Paulo at the moment, and he has played well at left-back. It's been disappointing being suspended, but I'm hoping I can play the next game."

Bridge's return to fitness has been a long and lonely one, but at least he is over the worst now after undergoing pre-season surgery to correct a hip problem.

Bridge said: "It's my most frustrating start to a season, definitely. I was having problems at the end of last season and didn't really find out what it was until the beginning of this, which is a bit disappointing, but I'm feeling good at the moment and hopefully it can stay that way.

"It was a bit complicated. I'd torn a labrum (cartilage ring, located in the socket of the hip joint, which helps to increase stability and acts as a shock absorber) which ripped away from the bone.

"It would settle down and then I'd get back in training and it would hurt again straightaway. They were the symptoms and that was it, I had to have the op."

During his punishing fitness rehabilitation, former coach Jose Mourinho left by mutual consent and was replaced by Avram Grant.

But the England defender has a philosophical attitude to it all, saying: "It's always difficult because you want to be out training, but in that situation, that's football. Players come and go, and so do managers.

"Jose did well for the club and a lot of people loved him. There was the shock of it happening just like that as well, but as you can see we're getting good results and everyone seems to be enjoying it again."