Tevez return spells trouble for Chelsea

Roberto Mancini is ready to unleash controversial hitman Carlos Tevez against Chelsea at the Etihad on Wednesday night.

The eagerly awaited return of the Argentine rebel from five months of self imposed exile could ignite City's title run-in with 10 games to play.

Tevez will be on the bench for the first time since his infamous Munich bust-up with Mancini last September.
 
The Italian was eager to bury the incident in the dustbin of history.

"What happened with him six months ago is in the past," said Mancini who had a change of heart recently after proclaiming after the Munich mutiny that Tevez would never play under him.

On the other hand he was profuse in praising City's top goalscorer last season.

The City boss said: "In training, Carlos has been perfect and better than last year.
 
"He wants to play and help the team and his attitude is better. I have always thought Carlos is a top player, even when we had a problem."

Mancini's side have seen Manchester United open up a four-point lead at the top of the table and Tevez's availability would be a boost to their dream of winning the English title for the first time since 1968.

"There is a possibility (of a place on the bench)," Mancini told reporters on Tuesday. "He is getting better but I don't think Carlo can have more than 25-30 minutes.
 
"A player like Carlo needs to play but for 90 minutes it is impossible. But if he can play 30 minutes, after 45, then in three or four games he could have 90 minutes easily.
 
"Tomorrow we will decide. We want to know the situation with the players."

But there is little doubt Tevez has been accepted back into Etihad after being fined heavily for being absent without leave.

"For the last month he has been part of our plans and for the next two months he will be a City player," said Mancini. "Carlos wants to play football after six months — for his future he needs to play again."