Doubt on Tevez start for final

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez could again be benched in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Stoke, according to manager Roberto Mancini.

Only just fit again after several weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Tevez came on for in the 83rd minute of Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over Spurs at Eastlands – a result that ensured the Blues will finish at least fourth in the English Premier League.

And while the Argentine will be keen to return to the starting line-up to face the Potters on Saturday – having appeared unhappy with the decision to leave him on the bench after half-time against Spurs – Mancini is unsure Tevez will be ready to play 90 minutes.

“We have four days (and) I want to take all the time to decide this,” Mancini said.

“I don’t think he can be 100 percent ready because he only played for 15 minutes and has only had one week with the team but we have four days. Then we need to decide.”

Mancini is far more confident about the chances of Gareth Barry, who missed last weekend’s loss at Everton and Tuesday’s clash with Spurs because of ‘a minor problem’.

“Gareth Barry, I think that he will be available,” Mancini told Sky Sports HD1.