ROME - FRANCE captain Patrick Vieira is nearing a return to first team action but will not be involved in Inter Milan's trip to Atalanta on Sunday, coach Jose Mourinho said on Monday.

The former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder has not played since November 22 in Inter's 1-0 win over Juve as he suffered an Achilles tendon problem two days later in training.

He is back in training now but Tuesday's Coppa Italia clash with Genoa and the Atalanta game will come too soon for him.

'Today (Monday) Patrick worked with the physios but he won't be in the team tomorrow (Tuesday). It's also impossible that he'll be ready on Sunday,' said former Chelsea and Porto boss Mourinho.

Vieira was also injured at the start of the season and has begun just nine matches, eight in Serie A and one in the Champions League, out of a possible 24. -- AFP