The Independent.
Mancini will today publicly address the issue of Carlos Tevez's stay in Argentina, which has been extended because of City's departure to Poland to face Lech Poznan, rather than his inability to fly while suffering a dead leg that is still causing him pain. Tevez's travel to and from Argentina is by private jet, allowing him as much room to stretch and lie down as he wishes, so, contrary to some suggestions, the transit is not a problem.
Tevez was due to have flown to Manchester on Monday but City told him there was no point as the club's medical staff would be departing for Poland today. Tevez's representatives view that as a positive gesture on the club's part and it certainly does not point to grave concerns on Mancini's part about the fitness of his most important player. It is understood that Tevez is desperate to face Manchester United next Wednesday, though City – who will assess him on Friday – will be unwilling to give many clues as to his fitness before then, to retain an element of surprise.
Tevez is under the care of the Argentina national team doctor, who has treated him on City's behalf in the past, and he will now fly back from Argentina tomorrow, arriving later that day or early on Friday, when he will be assessed.
The decision to allow Tevez to leave in the first place is based on personal circumstances which have kept him apart from his two daughters. Tevez and his long-term partner, Vanesa, were separated last spring and she now lives with her parents, which explains why the children remain at such a distance from him. Tevez is very close to his eldest daughter Flopy and has seen very little of the younger child, Katie, whose difficult and premature birth led to another extended absence from the UK for Tevez last season.