Mancini: Tevez can be key (From Asian Image)

Mancini: Tevez can be key

8:54am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in National Sport News © Press Association 2011

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes Carlos Tevez can play a key role in the closing stages of the season.

Mancini has said he will accept Tevez's apology for his recent conduct and bring him back to train with the first team. The forward has not played since falling into dispute with the club last September but Mancini believes the striker could be match-fit again in two or three weeks.

Mancini said: "Carlos can't play in the Europa League but we will have four strikers for the Premier League and I think that will be good. If we go through in the Europa League it will be important to have four strikers."

Tevez returned to Manchester last week after spending more than three months in Argentina without the club's permission.

He has not yet met Mancini but the Italian is prepared to bury past following the player's apology.

Despite all the problems of the past five months, Mancini is confident Tevez - the club's top scorer for the past two seasons and former captain - will fit straight back in.

Mancini said: "I think Carlos knows the team very well. The team in the last six or seven months have played very well and is top of the Premier League.

"We know Carlos very well, he is a top striker. If he is good, I think he can do a good job in the next two months."

Mancini had long maintained Tevez must apologise to be considered for selection again.

The City boss said: "He has apologised, I do not have any problem."