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Mancini not ruling out Tevez return

It is unclear when Carlos Tevez will return from Argentina © PA Photos

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Roberto Mancini admits it is possible Carlos Tevez will play again for Manchester City, provided the striker proves his fitness.

The general consensus was that the 27-year-old would leave City in the January transfer window but, although there was interest from a host of clubs including AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris St Germain, a transfer never materialised.

Despite his City future being clouded in doubt, the AWOL forward - who is currently in Argentina - has been included in Mancini's 25-man squad for the remainder of the season and the Italian admits the wantaway player could feature in a City shirt in the title run-in.

"Carlos is not an option at the moment but it is possible in the future if he comes back," said Mancini. "I hope for him he has been training in the last three months to help his condition.

"There is only one thing on my mind, the Premier League. But if he comes back - and he is fit - it is possible."

Meanwhile, Mancini shed some light on Owen Hargreaves' current situation. Since signing the injury-prone midfielder, the former Manchester United player has only made four appearances for the club and his on-going fitness issues prompted the deadline-day loan deal for Roma's David Pizarro.

"Owen always has these little problems," said Mancini. "When he came to us in the summer we took a gamble because he had not played for two years. We thought we could try and get him fit in two or three months and then he would be able to play.

"But, like any player who hasn't played for two years, when they start to train, every day there is a problem, with his knee or his hamstring. I hope for him he eventually is able to play all the time. He deserves to."

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