Image:Carlos Tevez: The striker will play in a number of reserve games before featuring for the first team
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that striker Carlos Tevez is at least two weeks away from a return.
Man City manager confirms striker could return against Chelsea
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that striker Carlos Tevez is at least two weeks away from a return.
It means that the Argentine could make his comeback in the home clash against Chelsea on 19th March.
Tevez has not featured for the Premier League leaders since starting in the 2-0 win over Birmingham City in the Carling Cup in September.
He has spent more than three months away from the club without permission after clashing with Mancini during their UEFA Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich in September.
The 28-year-old returned to England over a fortnight ago and has been training with the squad with a view to regaining match fitness.
Minimum
He played in City's behind-closed-doors defeat to Preston in midweek, but Mancini feels the striker needs more time.
He said: "I think he needs a minimum of another two weeks.
"In these two weeks it is important he plays two or three games with the reserves. He needs to play on a big pitch.
"For him it is like pre-season, after three months it is not easy to play.
"At this moment he can't play. Maybe in two weeks he could be ready."
