Video: Tévez’s Man City future is in his own hands, says Mancini

Roberto Mancini has left the door open for Carlos Tévez to play again for Manchester City, with the Argentina striker set to return to training on Tuesday.

The striker has not featured for the Premier League leaders since September, when he refused to warm up during City’s Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich.

Mancini insisted at the time that Tévez would not play again for the club, but a January move away from the Etihad Stadium failed to materialise.

Now, with the forward set to return to Eastlands after three months away, Mancini has hinted that Tévez could still feature again for City this term.

“It’s up to him,” said Mancini after the 1-0 win over Aston Villa. “Carlos knows everything. We are here, we didn’t change city in these three months, so we are here and Carlos knows this. Carlos is a City player. For three months we have been expecting him back.

“I am there, Carlos knows. I spoke to him one week after Munich, Carlos knows everything. I can’t say any more. Would I like him to apologise? This is normal I think. And after, Carlos can train and Carlos can play if his condition is good.”

Tévez told Fox Sports in an interview broadcast on Monday: “If I was wrong, I say sorry. I believe I did not make a mistake. If it [Mancini’s stance] is true, of course I like that. If it’s [meant] for the media, no.”