City missing Tevez spark

Gareth Barry feels Manchester City will have to get used to being the centre of attention if they are to fulfil their grand plans.

The Blues found themselves plastered all over the back pages last week following an alleged bust–up between manager Roberto Mancini and forward Craig Bellamy.

Mancini played down the row reports and Bellamy was introduced as a substitute during yesterday’s 0–0 draw with Liverpool at Eastlands.

But rather than calling on the media to lay off his team–mates, Barry accepts the increased scrutiny that comes with being a big club with even bigger ambitions.

Barry certainly does not feel there are any lingering problems over an apparent difference of opinion about how Bellamy’s long–standing knee injury should be treated.

“They are both strong and opinionated and they are both winners,” said Barry. “That is good for the club.

“We are working hard on the training pitch and all the players are right behind the manager.”

Mancini has admitted it is more important for City to have Carlos Tevez back for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea than the midweek FA Cup replay at Stoke.

Mancini does not know where Tevez is, having allowed the Argentina star to return home on compassionate leave when his partner went into premature labour.

But with mother out of hospital and baby being monitored in intensive care, Mancini wants Tevez back, not least because City have not won since their star striker went back to South America.

The best–case scenario would be for Tevez to return within the next 24 hours. Even then Mancini is not convinced the former Manchester United star would be ready to face Stoke.

What the Italian really wants is to have Tevez available for Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge.