Source: Team_Talk
RM takes blame for Tevez mistake
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has accepted the blame for the confusion over Carlos Tevez's return to training.[LNB] Tevez will miss the FA Cup winners' Community Shield clash against Manchester United on Sunday having been granted leave following Argentina's Copa America campaign until Monday.[LNB]It was initially thought Tevez would be back at the club's Carrington training base on Thursday but Mancini says the striker had always been allotted 21 days' holiday.[LNB]"I have spoken to him, his phone is working again," joked Mancini, referring to reasons he gave for not being able to contact the player earlier in the summer.[LNB]"He was happy and told me he would come back on Monday - everything was normal.[LNB]"He was on holiday, there was a mistake. We said he needed to come back on August 5 with Zaba [Pablo Zabaleta] but it was my mistake because I told him come back on August 8.[LNB]"Carlos comes back on Monday because he has 21 days after the Copa America."[LNB]Speculation over Tevez's future has dominated City's summer with the 27-year-old having made clear his desire to leave the club.[LNB]Tevez, City's top scorer and talisman last season, has previously said he will never return to Manchester, even on holiday.[LNB]A £40million move back to his former club Corinthians in Brazil collapsed last month and reports have persistently linked him with Inter Milan.[LNB]Yet with no new offers Mancini is expecting him back and to play a full role at the Etihad Stadium from next week.[LNB]"He doesn't have another team," said Mancini when asked about reports of a swap deal involving Inter right-back Maicon.[LNB]"Carlos is a professional player. If he doesn't have another team in the next 10 days or two weeks I think he will play for us and play serious like last year, like always."[LNB]When asked whether Tevez was likely to move before the transfer deadline at the end of the month, Mancini added: "I don't know. A lot can happen in one month but if he stays I am happy."[LNB]The rumours linking City with Maicon highlight a lack of cover for first-choice right-back Micah Richards.[LNB]Because of that Tevez's international team-mate Zabaleta has returned to training and will be available to play at Wembley on Sunday.[LNB]Mancini said: "Zaba is here because if we had a problem with Micah we have only one fit right-back."[LNB]City's £38million record summer signing Sergio Aguero, who was also involved in the Copa America with Argentina, will be on the bench this weekend.[LNB]The former Atletico Madrid forward has had blistered feet but is now training as normal.[LNB]Mancini said: "He is not 100 per cent ready but he is fit to come on the bench."[LNB]Mancini could therefore pair £24million Mario Balotelli with £27million Edin Dzeko up front against United.[LNB]The controversial Balotelli has also made headlines over the summer after clashing with Mancini during City's pre-season tour of north America.[LNB]Balotelli was also quoted this week saying he did not like the city of the Manchester.[LNB]Mancini said: "He is young, 21 years old and probably missing his family.[LNB]"This situation can happen if you want to play in another country, it is normal.[LNB]"The problem for Mario is that he is alone. He doesn't have his family here every day. I can understand this, I don't think it is terrible."[LNB]The derby element, and City's continuing attempts to eclipse their illustrious neighbours United, has added considerable spice to Sunday's encounter against the Premier League winners.[LNB]Mancini is fired up for the game but does not think too much should be read into the result.[LNB]He said: "It is the first official match of the season.[LNB]"It is important because it is a derby and we want to win, like United.[LNB]"But I don't think the teams at the moment are 100 per cent ready to play, like they will be in two months."
