Roberto Mancini will not be distracted by Carlos Tevez saga

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 infamous 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.
Any meeting now will have to wait until after the squad return to England tomorrow.

Midfielder James Milner insists the situation will not prove a distraction to a side who lead the Premier League by two points with 13 games remaining.

He said: "There are more people stood outside the
training ground but to us we just go out there and work hard every day in training, like we have all year.

"Nothing changes, our focus is on the games coming
up. The only thing we will do is go out there and try to win football matches."

Mancini and Milner were speaking at the Estadio do Dragao, where tonight they will face a Porto team boasting a formidable record.

Porto, last season's Europa League winners, have lost just once in their domestic league this season and are unbeaten at home in major competitions.

Mancini said: "I think this is one of the big games at this stage because we play Porto, a top team who have played Champions League.

"At home they are very strong, last year they won title. It will be a very hard game for this reason."

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.