Carlos Tevez set to feature for Manchester City against Tottenham

Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2011 by theguardian.com

• City will not rest players Champions League at stake
• Tevez likely to start on the bench after hamstring strain

The Manchester City captain and striker, Carlos Tevez, has scored 19 league goals this season.

Roberto Mancini has confirmed Carlos Tevez is winning the fight to prove his fitness for the FA Cup final but said he cannot rest players for Manchester City's attempt to secure Champions League football at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur.

Tevez, City's captain and leading scorer this season with 22 goals, is expected to be on the bench for the visit of Harry Redknapp's side to Eastlands on Tuesday night as he recovers from a hamstring strain suffered at Liverpool on 11 April. Mancini had made it clear the Argentinian would have to play before Wembley to be considered for selection against Stoke City and, barring a late setback, Tevez should get that opportunity against Spurs.

"Carlos can probably be on the bench," said the City manager, who also expects Gareth Barry and Micah Richards to return from injury and Pablo Zabaleta to have recovered from an ankle knock suffered at Everton on Saturday. He added: "Zaba doesn't have a big problem, Gareth should play against Tottenham and we will recover Micah."

A win for City against Tottenham would guarantee that they reached the Champions League qualifying stage for the first time but, having slipped to defeat at Goodison Park, Mancini admits the chance to rotate his expensive squad with Wembley in mind has gone.

That is likely to mean a recall for Mario Balotelli and Adam Johnson against Spurs, with both rested on Saturday, as the City manager seeks to avoid a repeat of last season's failure to clinch a top-four finish.

"I don't think we have a problem for fourth spot," Mancini said. "We still have three games left and we only need three points. But it was important we beat Everton because we have to prepare well for the final. Now I shall play with all the team against Tottenham because we want to win. That is not perfect for the final."

City have won 14 of their past 15 home matches in all competitions and, despite the effects of an impressive debut season in the Champions League now taking a toll on Tottenham, Mancini admits there can be no complacency at Eastlands.

He said: "Tottenham are still a very good team. They have played Champions League and when you do that the season is very difficult. That is what we are trying to achieve and if we beat Tottenham, it is finished."

Nigel de Jong, City's Holland midfielder, believes his side are facing a pivotal week in their history, with matches as important as those he played for his country at last year's World Cup. "This is a very important week for the club, the players and the fans. This is do or die for Manchester City," said De Jong. "Fourth place is in reach and everything is in our hands. We just have to win against Tottenham. We then have a chance to be FA Cup winners after 35 years. That was the reason everyone came to this club.

"Everything is in our hands and that is good for us. The last time I played in games this big was at the World Cup. Before that it was in my time at Ajax. You just have to take the experiences with you and we will make sure we will go for it."