Mancini hopeful Tevez will return

Striker Tevez has been frozen out at City since his refused to warm up during a Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich three and a half months ago. The Argentinian came close to moving on in last month's transfer window, but despite being linked with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris St Germain, nothing materialised.

Asked about the prospect of Tevez returning to Manchester this week in the wake of his side's 1-0 win at Aston Villa, Mancini said: "I don't know. I hope so, yes."

He added: "I don't have any problem and the club doesn't have any problem. Finish. It's up to him. Carlos knows everything, he knows the situation.

"I spoke with Carlos one week after Munich. He knows everything. We are here. We've not changed these past few months and Carlos knows that. He is a City player."

Mancini has made it clear, however, that he fully expects Tevez to say sorry, adding: "This is normal. Then after Carlos can train, can play, as long as his condition is good."

With Villa just seven points off the relegation zone, manager Alex McLeish's woes are compounded by the fact centre-back Richard Dunne faces at least a month on the sidelines after seemingly dislocating his right shoulder.

With Ciaran Clark also out for a period of time after damaging knee ligaments in training on Saturday, McLeish said: "We've a specialist in looking at him (Dunne).

"I'm not sure what is going to happen with the big 'un, whether he is going to go to hospital tonight or whatever, or what they do when a shoulder is dislocated, whether they stick it back in.

"I can't give you an answer just now, but I do believe he is going to be out for at least a month, so that's serious enough."