Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira has strained a thigh muscle and could struggle to be fit for the start of the season, Inter doctors said Friday.
The veteran midfielder was forced to miss Euro 2008 by a thigh strain on the same leg but this one is ''higher up,'' doctors said.
Viera was out for most of last season but returned near the end to play a key role in Inter's drive for its third scudetto in a row.
''It's an unlucky time for me but I'm not giving up,'' said the 32-year-old ex-Arsenal and Juventus star.
