Roberto Mancini admits to half-time Carlos Tevez bust-up

Roberto Mancini admits he had a “heated confrontation” with Carlos Tevez at half-time during Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Newcastle last Sunday.

Tevez was reported to have confronted the Italian manager over his side’s tactics during the interval but Mancini has today played down significance of the incident.

“My encounter with Tevez? There has been a lot of nonsense written,” the 45-year-old told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“These things happen in our locker room as much as they do in any other. It is necessary and it is good when it happens.”

The former Inter Milan boss added: “It was a heated confrontation but after that City won, so the wake-up call worked. Before returning to the field we had cleared it all up.”

Mancini hopes to have summer signing Mario Balotelli available for City’s clash with Arsenal later this month. The 20-year-old Italy international has not appeared since his debut in August where he picked up a knee injury.

“He’s recovering well and I hope to have him back for the game against Arsenal on October 24,” revealed Mancini.

“Has it been a long recovery? No, it has been normal. It depends on the player, sometimes people come back early and sometimes later. I hope Mario is early.

“He had tests on his knee on Friday and again on Monday. It should be OK.”