Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel is to be given a chance to prove his fitness ahead of the new season, with coach Mike Zimmer confirming that the player will start against the Arizona Cardinals.

The coach has cleared the quarterback to play in the team's second pre-season fixture, which would give Cassel the opportunity to prove his worth over rookie Teddy Bridgewater.

"I just want him to play," Zimmer told the St Paul Pioneer Press. "He's got so much going on in his mind right now, I just want him to play."

It has also been reported that Cassel could play the entire first half of Saturday's game.