Fabregas "won't give up" on hopes of playing in Carling Cup final

Feb 24, 2011, 9:52 GMT

London - Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he won't give up until the last second on his hopes of leading his side out against Birmingham in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, despite feeling a pain in his hamstring on Wednesday night.

The Spain midfielder came off as a precaution in his side's Premier League win over Stoke and manager Arsene Wenger said he did not know if he would be fit for the Wembley showdown.

But Fabregas, who has continually rejected bids to join Barcelona, said on Twitter that he would be doing everything to make sure he is there.

'I dont know if I'll make Sunday or not, but all I know is that from this moment to Sunday I won't sleep if it's necessary,' he said. 'I've waited too long to captain a final for Arsenal and I won't give up till the last second.'

With a crucial Champions League second-leg tie against Barcelona to come next week, Wenger will be reluctant to risk his captain if he is not fully fit.

The Frenchman has bigger concerns about Theo Walcott, though, after the England winger was carried off on a stretcher with a sprained ankle.

'He is out,' Wenger said. 'For how long, I don't know, but he is definitely out of Sunday.'

Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny, who missed the Stoke game with hamstring and back trouble, respectively, are expected to be fit for Sunday's final.

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