Players pleased with Tevez’s return

Carlos Tevez yesterday arrived back at Manchester City with the apparent backing of his fellow players.

The Argentinian spent a little more than an hour at City’s Carrington complex and underwent a medical after flying back into Manchester Airport, where he was met by a huge gathering of photographers and TV cameramen.

The 28-year-old has decided to end his unauthorised absence and return to England to resume his City career.

Tevez flew to Argentina without the club’s permission in November after deciding not to appeal against a club fine relating to his conduct during the infamous Champions League loss at Bayern Munich in September.

He had hoped to secure a move during last month’s transfer window but, despite interest from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, no move materialised.

However, the City squad appear receptive to Tevez’s return if the reaction of Joleon Lescott is typical.

He tweeted: “All I can say...is that all the players are excited to have Carlos, Kolo and Yaya (Toure, returned from the African Nations Cup) back to help achieve our goal.”

Although Tevez has indicated a willingness to fight for a place back in the Barclays Premier League leaders’ side, it remains to be seen how quickly Mancini reintegrates him into his squad.

City boss Roberto Mancini, who initially said Tevez was “finished” at the club after the Munich game, has recently appeared open to the possibility of the player featuring again.

The City boss, however, has long maintained Tevez would need to apologise for that to happen.

City have also not yet responded to Tevez’s claims in an Argentinian TV interview on Monday that Mancini treated him “like a dog” in Munich.

Tevez was suspended and later fined after the Munich incident and then flew back to Argentina.

While away he was fined another six weeks’ wages, believed to be around £1.2 million, and his pay was stopped.

Tevez failed in an appeal against that sanction but has lodged another appeal with the Premier League.

City are due to train this morning before flying to Portugal for tomorrow’s Europa League game against Porto.

Tevez is unlikely to be involved in training as he has not been registered in City’s squad for the competition. City are then not in action at the weekend following their elimination from the FA Cup.

Tevez’s availability for the Premier League run-in would give Mancini a £25million-rated player who has been the club’s top scorer for the past two seasons.

Tevez was also the captain when City ended a 35-year trophy drought by winning the FA Cup last season.

The recent form of strikers Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli has led to suggestions Mancini might want the option of Tevez back.

There are still some questions remaining, however.

Tevez has said he can be match fit in two weeks but City have wanted to conduct their own assessment.

The issue of an apology is also still to be addressed.

Tevez also said yesterday: “I do not think I was wrong, but if they (the club) think so I apologise.

“I am ready to return, to win and do the best for the club’s shirt.”