Mancini ignores Tevez distraction

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has rebuffed all questions on Carlos Tevez as he prepares his team to face Porto in the Europa League.

The Argentine striker has trained on his own since returning to the club on February 15, after a three-month absence, but says he wants to force his way back into the first-team.

Mancini though, only wants to concentrate on his side’s second-leg fixture against Porto on Wednesday and is not thinking about the striker’s situation.

Last week the Italian rejected Tevez’s claims that he was “treated like a dog”, stating, on the contrary, that he acted professionally.

“I totally disagree with Carlos, what he said, because I never treated him badly,” Mancini said. “Maybe the opposite, I treated him too well, always.”

Ahead of Wednesday’s return leg, however, the City manager completely refused to speak about the former West Ham man.

“I am only here to talk about Porto,” he said.

Then, when asked if there was a planned meeting with Tevez, Mancini replied: “There is a meeting tomorrow, against Porto.”

City beat the Portuguese champions 2-1 in the away leg thanks to a late winner from Sergio Aguero and will be looking to finish the job at the Etihad Stadium and book their place in the last 16.

Meanwhile, midfielder Samir Nasri wants Tevez to return to the City line-up and urged the striker to apologise to Mancini.

“I have not spoken to Carlos, but I think he is an important player for us and for every team in Europe because he has quality,” the Frenchman said.

“He has to apologise and when he does that, then he will be in the squad because we need a player of his quality to win the league and the Europa League.”