Mancini refutes Tevez claim

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is determined not to let the continuing Carlos Tevez saga derail his side’s title push.

Mancini would answer only one question about the controversial Argentinian, who this week claimed the manager treated him “like a dog” and returned to Manchester after a three–month absence, at a press conference last night.

But the Italian said enough to make clear he does not intend to let the publicity surrounding the striker’s battle to re–establish himself at City undermine the Barclays Premier League leaders’ campaign.

Mancini said: “I totally disagree with Carlos, what he said, because I have never treated him badly.

“Maybe it is the opposite, I treated him too well, always. This is the last question I answer (on this) in the next three months. I don’t want to talk any more.”

It remains to be seen when — or if — Mancini reintegrates the player into his squad. Tevez’s remarks about his treatment by Mancini during last September’s Champions League loss at Bayern Munich — aired in a TV interview given before he flew back to England — appear to have further damaged the pair’s relationship. They did not meet when Tevez returned from his unauthorised leave to undergo a medical at City’s training ground on Tuesday.

Tevez, who has not been registered to play in the Europa League, was given his own fitness plan and did not train with the squad ahead of tonight’s last–32 first–leg tie against Porto in Portugal.

Yaya and Kolo Toure last night rejoined the City squad after the African Nations Cup while Mario Balotelli is also back in contention after a four–match domestic ban.