Mancini backs Tevez to stay put

Carlos Tevez has been told by manager Roberto Mancini that he can still have a bright future with Manchester City.

The Argentinian striker continues to be linked with summer switch away from the Etihad Stadium, with Italian giants AC Milan expressing a big interest in his signature.

City boss Mancini is still keen to land Arsenal's Robin van Persie to supplement his own attacking blend, with Tevez tipped to be the man that will make way.

But club sources have insisted Tevez has returned to pre-season a 'changed man', having gone AWOL for three months last season, as he sought a move elsewhere, before he was ordered to return to England.

Tevez has been put on a strict training programme to have him at optimum fitness and Mancini continues to assert he will still be happy to keep the 28-year-old in the fold.

Mancini said: "We have four top strikers at this club and all the other teams in Europe would like strikers like them.

"After January, everything with Carlos was finished, because he has shown good behaviour and came back to City.

"He played a lot of games and scored some important goals for the title and now he has started the training sessions very well."

City are 2.10 to retain their Premier League title next season and 7.50 to win the Champions League, while Tevez is 15.00 to be top-scorer in the English top-flight in 2012/13.

Don't forget all Premier League matches are covered by the bet365 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets.

Best Free Bet Offers - Provided by engagesuperleague.co.uk