EXCLUSIVE: Tevez to make Man City return in reserve fixture against Preston
By John Edwards
Last updated at 10:00 PM on 26th February 2012
Carlos Tevez will begin his Manchester City comeback in earnest on Tuesday when he makes his first competitive appearance for the club since his fall-out with Roberto Mancini five months ago.
Sportsmail can reveal that, one week after apologising for his actions, Tevez will play for City in a reserve League Cup tie against Preston that has been specially tailored to his needs.
The game was originally scheduled for Chorley’s Victory Park on Wednesday, but City succeeded in changing the venue and date after identifying it as an ideal opportunity for easing him back into action.
Concerned at the state of Chorley’s pitch, and intense media interest in Tevez’s eagerly-awaited return, City requested the tie be brought forward 24 hours and played behind closed doors at their Carrington training complex.
The 2pm kick off will give Mancini the chance to assess the 28-year-old’s match sharpness and how much more fitness work is needed before he can challenge for a first-team recall.
Tevez, who infuriated the City manager by refusing to warm up against Bayern Munich and subsequently spent three-and-a-half months on unauthorised leave in Argentina, was thought to be on course for a return to the squad against Swansea a week on Saturday.
Coach David Platt warned it could take longer, but such an early outing in a competitive reserves match suggests he could be up for selection at the Liberty Stadium.
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By John Edwards
Last updated at 10:00 PM on 26th February 2012
Carlos Tevez will begin his Manchester City comeback in earnest on Tuesday when he makes his first competitive appearance for the club since his fall-out with Roberto Mancini five months ago.
Sportsmail can reveal that, one week after apologising for his actions, Tevez will play for City in a reserve League Cup tie against Preston that has been specially tailored to his needs.
The game was originally scheduled for Chorley’s Victory Park on Wednesday, but City succeeded in changing the venue and date after identifying it as an ideal opportunity for easing him back into action.
Concerned at the state of Chorley’s pitch, and intense media interest in Tevez’s eagerly-awaited return, City requested the tie be brought forward 24 hours and played behind closed doors at their Carrington training complex.
The 2pm kick off will give Mancini the chance to assess the 28-year-old’s match sharpness and how much more fitness work is needed before he can challenge for a first-team recall.
Tevez, who infuriated the City manager by refusing to warm up against Bayern Munich and subsequently spent three-and-a-half months on unauthorised leave in Argentina, was thought to be on course for a return to the squad against Swansea a week on Saturday.
Coach David Platt warned it could take longer, but such an early outing in a competitive reserves match suggests he could be up for selection at the Liberty Stadium.
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