Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas says he will be doing everything he can to make sure he is fit to lead out the Gunners in the Carling Cup Final against Birmingham (11/2 to beat Arsenal) on Sunday.

The Spaniard limped out of Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Stoke with yet another hamstring injury after barley 15 minutes of the match at the Emirates Stadium.

The 23-year-old has been plagued by hamstring complaints this season and missed a month of action earlier in the campaign having done something similar against Sunderland.

The Gunners will be desperate to have their talisman back for the showpiece game at Wembley as they go in search of their first piece of silverware in six years.

Fabregas says he is unsure whether he will be fit to lead out the team on Sunday but says he will be doing all he can to give himself the best opportunity of captaining the side.

“I don’t 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.”

Arsenal – who are the 2/5 favourites to win the Carling Cup – have already been dealt a blow on the injury front after manager Arsene Wenger revealed Theo Walcott will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle sprain.

The England winger was taken off after a heavy challenge from Stoke’s Dean Whitehead in the second half and it has yet to be determined how long he will spend in the treatment room.

Arsenal’s win over Stoke moves them to within a point of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, although the Red Devils have a game in hand.