Last Updated: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:22
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is reportedly ready to hand a starting berth to Carlos Tevez against Sunderland this weekend.
The Italian has been trying to reintegrate him back into the squad slowly after his well-documented leave of absence, but with Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli struggling for form, Mancini may be forced to accelerate those plans.
Tevez has certainly made a major impact since returning to the bench this week following his unauthorised trip to Argentina.
He first came on in midweek to set up Sergio Aguero's winner against Chelsea as City came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory and then helped Mancini's men secure a point at Stoke after entering the action in the wake of Peter Crouch's wonder strike.
Clearly Tevez's fitness could still be an issue to consider, but with the pressure hotting up in the race for the title following Manchester United's win over Fulham on Monday, it may be a risk the City boss is prepared to take.
The Argentinian international hasn't started a game since September as a result of his fall-out with Mancini during City's Champions League tie in Germany against Bayern Munich.
A lot will also depend on the availability of Aguero, who missed the 1-1 draw with Stoke with an ankle injury.
However, it is understood he is winning his battle to overcome the problem and could be joined in the team against Sunderland on Saturday by skipper Vincent Kompany.
The central defender is back in full training again after picking up a groin strain in the Europa League tie away to Sporting Lisbon a few weeks ago.
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