Mancini: Tevez will be back before Chelsea clash

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed he expects Carlos Tevez to return to the club on Thursday or Friday.

Argentina international Tevez was given compassionate leave and allowed to return to his homeland earlier this month due to complications with his wife Vanesa’s pregnancy.

The couple’s baby daughter has been in intensive care after being born prematurely and until this week it had been unclear when Tevez was likely to come back.

Mancini appeared to be at a loss on the matter following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, but yesterday Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian insisted the player had kept City informed of developments and was hopeful of returning for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League.

Today Mancini indicated that, having spoken to Tevez, he was convinced he would be available for the match at Stamford Bridge.

“I spoke with him yesterday and I think that he will come back on Thursday or Friday morning,” Mancini said, before adding: “I am sure.”

He continued: “It is important Carlos comes back Thursday or Friday so he can play against Chelsea. He said to me that every day he has been training in Argentina, every morning.

“He had a serious problem but now I think he resolved his problem.”