Mancini: Tevez available for Chelsea clash

(GSM) – Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed star striker Carlos Tevez is heading back from Argentina and will be available for Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.

Argentina international Tevez was given compassionate leave and allowed to return to his homeland earlier this month due to complications with his wife Vanesa’s pregnancy.

The couple’s baby daughter Katie has been in intensive care after being born prematurely and until this week it had been unclear when Tevez was likely to come back.

Mancini appeared to be at a loss on the matter following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool, but on Monday Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian insisted the player had kept City informed of developments and was hopeful of returning for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea in the Premier League.

And Mancini has now indicated that, having spoken to Tevez, he is convinced he would be available for the match at Stamford Bridge.

“I spoke with him on Monday and I think that he will come back on Thursday or Friday morning,” Mancini said, before adding: “I am sure.”

He continued: “It is important Carlos comes back Thursday or Friday so he can play against Chelsea. He said to me that every day he has been training in Argentina, every morning.”

“He had a serious problem but now I think he resolved his problem.”

City crashed out of the FA Cup in Tevez’s absence, going down 3-1 after extra time to Stoke City in their fifth-round replay.

The return of the energetic front man will be crucial for Mancini with Emmanuel Adebayor suspended for the Stamford Bridge clash following his red card against the Potters.