Chelsea Date Could Be Set For Tevez Return

Carlos Tevez will not play for Manchester City's first team this weekend, according to Roberto Mancini, with the striker looking likely to be back in action to face Chelsea on 19 March.

Tevez hasn't played for City in around five months, and the Argentina international is still working on getting back to full match fitness after he apologised for his past indiscretions and was welcomed back into the fold at Etihad Stadium.

And now, as the 28 year old trains and returns to the pitch for the reserves, Mancini insists it will be a good two weeks before he is back in the starting line-up.

"I think he needs a minimum of another two weeks," he said, as reported by Yahoo Sports. "It is important he plays two or three games with the reserves. He needs to play on a big pitch.

"For him it is like pre-season, after three months it is not easy to play. At this moment he can't play."

City are currently two points ahead of Manchester United in the Premier League table, and will be working hard to maintain their lead over their cross-town rivals as the season hits the business end.

And Mancini will be hoping that Tevez's return will only boost the side, rather than distract it, as they aim for their first league title since 1968.