Time for Tevez?

Mancini's hard-line stance drew praise from the most unlikely of quarters as Sir Alex Ferguson applauded the Italian for his no-nonsense approach to Tevez's supposed insubordination - the City boss had shown his mettle and proved himself just that, the boss of his multi-million pound squad.

But four-and-a-half months on, his side have lost their early-season swagger and, in recent weeks, the Italian's easy, unruffled nonchalance has given way to an air of edgy vulnerability, culminating in the frank and uneasy admission that his poor preparation had cost City defeat at Everton.

So with the goals having dried up and the dogged pursuit of those from Old Trafford clicking firmly into gear, Mancini is readying himself for a gamble that could define not only the title race but also his reputation at the Etihad Stadium.

Breaking bread with Tevez and accepting the Argentine back into his City fold is a high-risk strategy and there is just a feeling that the man who was once directing the traffic in this saga is now caught in the headlights and being dictated to not only by Tevez and his camp, but also by the ever-increasing tension of a title chase of which his side, at one time, appeared masters.

In purely practical terms - and that is the only way Mancini will claim to be looking at this affair - City will add a proven Premier League goalscorer to their squad at a juncture when the striking triumvirate of Aguero, Dzeko and Balotelli are failing to find the potency that saw them so memorably run amok at Old Trafford last October.

But while Tevez's pedigree may be in no doubt, there are no guarantees that the South American will bring Mancini and his men goals should the uneasiest of reconciliations materialise.

The memories of Tevez are now not of the marauding, all-action striker that scored 24 goals in City's blue last term, but rather the stock images of him strolling through airports, cosying up to potential suitors and swinging golf clubs back in his native Argentina.

The 28-year-old has not played for going on five months and - despite the claims from his camp that he has been working to maintain fitness during his self-imposed exile in South America - a potential first-team return still seems months rather than weeks away.

But regardless of his fitness or undisputed ability, Mancini's gamble in re-opening the door to City's prodigal son - who is reported to have racked up £9million in fines and lost wages - revolves primarily around the threat of destabilising a squad who are learning on the job in their first-ever title challenge.

Unwelcome distraction

While Tevez and his advisor Kia Joorabchian seem impervious to any sense of culpability, it is hard to think there won't be some members of the City squad who bear the Argentine ill-will for a continuing sideshow that has remained a most unwelcome of distractions to their quest for a first Premier League title.

Throughout the affair, many believe Tevez has yet to give the impression that he has considered the effect that his behaviour would have on anyone or anything besides his own well-being and one would hardly expect open arms all round as and when he deigns fit to return to Carrington.

But that is the challenge that lies ahead for Mancini, to persuade players and fans alike that taking Tevez back will go a long way to providing an end that justifies the sulliest of means.

With City having departed three Cup competitions in the time that Tevez has been away, their season and, arguably, the Italian's future at the club comes down to a league battle with the most successful English club of modern times with the ultimate street fighter at the helm.

While morals and principles might win you friends, they do not win you league titles and thus Mancini has decided he needs to use every possible weapon at his disposal to try and wrest the Premier League crown from Old Trafford.

Should Tevez knuckle down, regain form and score the goals to help secure City a first league title since 1968 then Mancini should be applauded no matter one's opinion of Tevez.

The Italian's gamble will have proved shrewd and, if need be, would even enable an amicable parting of the ways in the summer with City likely to benefit in the shape of the transfer fee they so steadfastedly refused to lower throughout the player's inactivity.

However, regardless of Tevez's impact, be it positive or negative, if City fail to emerge triumphant at the season's climax, Mancini will face inescapable criticism for revising his position and accepting the Argentine at so crucial a juncture. His authority will be severely diminished and his reputation tarnished.

It's a tricky and potentially divisive scenario for City and their manager, but while the prospect of seeing Tevez with a league medal around his neck in May might be unpalatable to many in football, to Mancini and those connected with Manchester City it would represent job done.

You can have your say by filling in the feedback form below, while Sky Sports News will be showing an interview with Carlos Tevez at 6pm on Monday evening.