Bridge told to improve fitness if he wants to stay at Manchester City

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted that Wayne Bridge's future at the club is in the player's hands.

The defender has made just one Premier League start this season but the Italian insists it is down to a run of injuries and not a lack of form.

"His future depends on him because he cannot finish every game he plays because of his injuries," he said.

"If he is available he is part of our group. He is unlucky."

Mancini believes that he has given the former Chelsea full-back the chances to prove his worth to City but injuries have rendered him temporarily obsolete.

"If a player is always injured then it is very difficult for me to play him. He played in the first game against Salzburg and was injured after 70 minutes. The next game (Blackpool) injured and then again against Poznan he got injured. It's impossible for him to play."