Carlos Tevez assured of central role at Manchester City

The Argentina striker gave an impressive performance when he stepped off the bench in the draw against Liverpool at the weekend.

Tevez had a hand in Stephen Ireland's goal that gave City the lead at Anfield but has struggled to find the target himself.

First team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki has dismissed the notion of the former Manchester United star spending too much time on the bench and insisted he should not be known as a 'super-sub'.

He told www.mcfc.co.uk: "To label him in that way is completely wrong. We had a specific game plan and Carlos made such an impression when he came on.

"Because of the players we have and the size of the squad, there will be times when the boss (Mark Hughes) has to leave out certain individuals or play a different system. That's the flexibility we want.

"Carlos had just been away with Argentina, where there was a lot of emotion surrounding the national team. But he showed real desire when he came on and he changed what had gone on.

"He gave the team a trigger, and it was Carlos closing down the full-back that led to the second goal. He chased a lost cause and won the ball back in the corner.

"Carlos is playing with a smile on his face and he loves to express himself on the pitch. I'm sure we'll soon see him knocking the goals in like the talent we know he is."