• Premier League

Mancini urged not to bring back 'volatile' Tevez

Carlos Tevez could play some part in Wednesday's game against Chelsea © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Tevez has been perfect at training - Mancini
  
• News: Get Tevez to rescue City's season - Toure
  
• News: Tevez could return for City against Chelsea
  
• Profile: Carlos Tevez

Former Manchester City striker Rodney Marsh has urged current manager Roberto Mancini not to allow Carlos Tevez back into the first-team fold.

Marsh has experience of being the controversial man at the club, but believes bringing Tevez back after a well-documented dispute with the club would hinder, not help, an already faltering Premier League title challenge.

Controversial forward Marsh arrived at Maine Road as the superstar signing who would help deliver the title for favourites City back in 1972, but it did not work out and the striker was blamed for unsettling the team.

Tevez, who is poised for a comeback against Chelsea on Wednesday night after Mancini admitted he is ready to use the forward, finds himself in a very similar position and Marsh thinks the Argentina international is just too "volatile" to return for the run-in.

Asked if City manager Mancini should take the risk with Tevez, Marsh told ESPNsoccernet: "No, not in my view. And that is nothing to do with the comparisons that are inevitably going to be made with my arrival at City."

Marsh, who will be back playing for QPR at Loftus Road in the Elite Legends Cup in May, explained: "When I joined City from QPR, City already had a wonderful team and were really flying, I didn't know anyone, so I came in cold.

"Tevez, of course, has been there before, not only in Manchester with City, but in Manchester with United, he is not even a new player, he is known to the fans, to the players.

"So, you would think I would say 'yes' play him, but I say 'no' don't, but not because of any fear of history repeating itself, the circumstances are similar but not the same, as I have pointed out.

"I wouldn't bring him back because he is so volatile, because there are so many negatives around him which reflect on the football club and the team.

"Of course it is a tough call for Mancini, and he is the only person who can judge what is best for the team."

He added: "Just imagine Tevez sitting on the bench, where he will inevitably start, there will be all eyes trained on him, every TV camera, every journo looking at his reaction when his manager calls for him to warm up."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.