Mancini open to Tevez return

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini appears ready to welcome Carlos Tevez back into the fold and aid his side’s Barclays Premier League title bid.

Tevez has not played for City since becoming embroiled in a dispute with the club in September following his failure to warm up during a Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich.

The Argentinian, who has been in his homeland without the club’s permission since November, had appeared set to leave City during the January transfer window but, despite interest from Inter Milan, AC Milan and Paris St Germain, no move was forthcoming.

Now it appears as though Mancini – having once stated Tevez would not play for the club again – is ready to give the 28-year-old a way back in at the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini, who has seen his options up front limited by Mario Balotelli’s four-match suspension, told a briefing for the Sunday newspapers: “Everyone knows that Tevez is a top player and it probably would have been better for us if he’d been here.

“Carlos can change a lot of games. If he comes back next week, maybe he can help us in the last three months.

“I don’t know if he is in good condition or not. I don’t think so because he hasn’t played for four months. But Carlos recovers strength very quickly.

“Carlos knows the situation. If he comes back, we talk. Why not? I don’t have a problem.”

City can return to the top of the Premier League with a victory over Aston Villa later today having been replaced by rivals Manchester United yesterday.