Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is hoping Carlos Tevez stays injury-free until the end of the season. The Italian boss believes the Argentinian is just a vital to the team's cause as Wayne Rooney is to Manchester United.
While Rooney is recovering from an ankle injury, Tevez will be aiming to put Birmingham to the sword on Sunday. Tevez is looking to improve his 26-goal tally after finding the target in City's 6-1 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
The former Manchester united player has settled in quickly after arriving at Eastlands in the summer. Like Mark Hughes beforehand, Mancini knows how crucial Tevez is to the team.
I do not know if we are favourites. There are four teams chasing that place and it will be difficult for all of us.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini
"We have had a lot of injuries. I hope that in the last six games we can play with a strong team," Mancini said, "Carlos is most important for us like Rooney is for United."
City are aiming to secure fourth place and with it a coveted UEFA Champions League slot ahead of Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
"I do not know if we are favourites. There are four teams chasing that place and it will be difficult for all of us," said the Italian manager.
"We have to keep the concentration we showed against Burnley. Four our last six games are at home and our supporters can play a part," he said. "Birmingham are a strong team, who defend very well. We will need to be at our best to beat them," added Mancini.
Meanwhile, Mancini says it is up to Nedum Onuoha to decide whether he turns his back on his England ambitions and pursues the prospect of playing for 2010 FIFA World Cup™ finalists Nigeria.
The England U-21 full-back was born in Nigeria but moved to the United Kingdom when he was seven. Onuoha has indicated he is thinking of switching allegiance to Nigeria, where former Sweden coach Lars Lagerback is in charge.
"I have not spoken with Nedum and it must be a personal decision," Mancini said. "I think he would like to play for England but appearing in the World Cup is important for a player. If he has a chance of playing for Nigeria then that is a good thing. But he has to decide," added the Manchester City boss.
Lagerback is scheduled to travel to England next Wednesday and Onuoha is on the list of players he intends to meet.
"We reached out to him some time ago but he said he needed to clear some things up with his family," Nigeria media officer Idah Peterside told the Kick-Off Nigeria website.
"It is good news for us that is now ready to play for Nigeria. But saying that does not automatically guarantee him a place in the team.
"The coach has made that clear to everyone they have to show they are committed and ready to give everything for their country."
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