Mancini sets Tevez deadline

Tevez: Facing a race against time to be fit for FA Cup final

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini accepts that it will be ‘impossible’ for skipper Carlos Tevez to play in the FA Cup final if he is unfit to face Tottenham next week.

The talismanic Argentine has been out of action for City since injuring his hamstring against Liverpool in April and looks certain to miss the team’s trip to Everton on Saturday.

Tevez is desperate to play in the Wembley showpiece on May 14th against Stoke, having missed out on a place in the final when a Manchester United player in 2009.

“It is very difficult for him to play against Everton and if he doesn’t play against Tottenham, it will be impossible for Carlos to play in the final.”
Roberto Mancini Quotes of the week

However the 27-year-old has only managed to take part in light training sessions so far, meaning if he is unable to play in their match against Spurs at Eastlands on 10th May, he is unlikely to be in Mancini’s plans.

Difficult

“It is very difficult for him to play against Everton and if he doesn’t play against Tottenham, it will be impossible for Carlos to play in the final,” said Mancini.

“We have 10 days so we will wait and we hope that he can recover. I think it is 50 per cent at this moment.”

Another player currently on the sidelines is defender Micah Richards, however his rehabilitation appears to be moving quicker.

Richards could now be set for a place on the bench against the Toffees after his recovery from a hamstring injury, meaning he will be in contention to play in City’s first FA Cup final in 30 years.

Some doubts were also raised over the fitness of midfielder Nigel De Jong and full-back Pablo Zabaleta for their participation at Goodison Park, but the Italian coach was positive over their chances.

“Micah is very close,” Mancini added.

“Pablo is OK, Nigel has a little problem with his hip but I think he will be available for Saturday.”