Roberto
Mancini has
revealed Carlos Tevez could be out for up to four weeks after
sustaining a hamstring injury during Monday's 3-0 defeat at
Liverpool.
The news means Manchester City will be without their captain for
Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
Mancini had initially said he expected Tevez to be out for a
fortnight after he was substituted in the first half at Anfield,
but it now appears likely the forward will struggle to return
before City's penultimate Premier League game against Stoke on May
14.
"Tevez is not available for Saturday," Mancini said. "I think he
will recover in three or four weeks. It is a big problem but we
can't take any risks. We have six games left and hopefully we can
get Carlos back for the last two or three games."
Mancini is now encouraging Mario
Balotelli and
Edin Dzeko to seize the opportunity.
Balotelli has shown signs of his
quality since his summer move from Inter and has scored ten goals
in all competitions, but he has also attracted criticism for his
work-rate and off-field behaviour. Dzeko, meanwhile, has not yet
scored a Premier League goal, although he has scored once in the FA
Cup against Notts County and twice in the Europa League against
Aris Salonika.
"I still have to decide what to do
[in the semi-final], but both players know this is an important
chance for them," Mancini said. "Every player knows this is an
important moment for the club. If we win, we can go to a final, so
every player will give 100%."
In defence, City will at least be
boosted by the return of Micah
Richards, who was back
in training on Wednesday after suffering a hamstring injury last
month.
"Micah Richards is available," Mancini said. "He trained two
days ago and again yesterday. He will be okay."
