Vieira Hopeful on Pirlo's Chances

Patrick Vieira remains optimistic that Andrea Pirlo will be available for the second leg of NYCFC’s Eastern Conference semifinals match against Toronto.

The Italian missed the first leg defeat at BMO due to tightness in his calf but the outlook is sunnier for the second leg, according to the Head Coach.

Pirlo returned to the training field at SUNY Purchase for a light session on Thursday and his manager is hopeful that he will be able to come back into content for Sunday’s showdown at Yankee Stadium.

The 37-year old has undergone an MRI scan on the affected area and Vieira updated journalists on Andrea’s prognosis on Wednesday.

“There are some things there,” Patrick revealed. “We just have to keep working on him and see how he progresses day after day.

“I had a conversation with him this morning. He’s doing some work inside and he should do some more work on the field tomorrow.

“Hopefully, if we follow the program well, he should be training by the end of the week.”

Patrick was also asked if Frank Lampard will return to his XI for Sunday’s game after he was introduced from the bench in the last two games.

“Everybody is fit. Frank did the full session today,” Vieira said. “The only one that wasn’t here was Andrea. RJ [Allen] and Ronald [Matarrita] just took part in the first part of the training session, but what is really good is that everybody wants to play the game.”