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Mancini to hold Tevez talks

Carlos Tevez has not always seen eye to eye with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini © PA Photos

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will have talks with unsettled striker Carlos Tevez later this week - but has refused to confirm whether or not the Argentine is to remain club captain.

"Carlos is our player and I hope that he continues to play with us and I hope that he continues to score for us," Mancini said.

The Argentina striker did not travel with the rest of the Manchester City squad to Turin for Thursday's Europa League tie against Juventus. Mancini insisted he would deal with the Tevez issue imminently but ducked the question of the club captaincy.

"I was in Italy, Carlos was in Tenerife for three days, I will meet him on Friday and before I want to speak with him," he said.

Tevez submitted a formal transfer request last weekend, claiming that his relationship with key people at the club had broken down 'beyond repair'.

Mancini said Tevez's transfer request had come as a surprise to him, at a time when the club find themselves in third place in the Premier League.

"I am disappointed because we are in a good moment and in a good position in the table and our focus must be on this,'' the Italian said. "I want to speak to him. Carlos has three-and-a-half years left on his contract."

Asked whether he thought he could change the player's mind, Mancini said: "I don't know, I don't know. Carlos is our player and will stay with us.

"It is important we speak. We have important games coming up against Juventus tomorrow and against Everton on Monday and lots of important games this month.

"My opinion is that we have started the season, an important season, and he is an important player for us. I will say that he must stay here."

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