Mancini - Tevez can make final

Tevez: FA Cup final fitness race for Manchester City striker

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is optimistic Carlos Tevez will be fit to play in the FA Cup final next month.

Tevez missed the semi-final victory against Manchester United last weekend after suffering a hamstring injury in the defeat by Liverpool.

City expect him to miss the next four league games as well, starting at Blackburn on Monday.

But Mancini believes the Argentina striker could be back to face Stoke at Wembley in the showdown on 14th May.

"I hope Carlos can recover in time as we have four weeks, " said Mancini.

Defender Micah Richards is also ruled out of the Blackburn game after missing the semi-final with a hamstring problem, but Mancini expects to have him available early next month.

Mancini added: "Micah is not ready yet. He needs another week to 10 days to recover."

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Carlos Tevez in race to be fit for FA Cup final

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Tevez is currently in Italy receiving treatment on a hamstring injury and is not expected to be available for three weeks. With the Wembley showpiece, which will be screened live on ESPN, taking place on May 14 it is touch and go as to whether the Argentina striker will be available.

City are expecting an update on Tevez's condition this week and the forward is determined to help the club end their trophy drought.

"We are playing well and we have a chance to achieve something big for Manchester City," Tevez said. "For the club, owners and fans; as a player you want to play in the big occasions.

"I played at Wembley once for United against Everton in the semi-finals. We lost the penalty shootout so it's not a happy memory.

"United have been winning the games that we felt we could win - but we felt Saturday was an opportunity to beat them and dedicate an historic win to our supporters.

"I have played in the cup for three teams and know what an important competition it is. In some countries the domestic cup is not important. But because of the history and of what the FA Cup means to the supporters it carries more significance.

"It always has a special atmosphere because of that and I'm sure the game will be an amazing occasion."

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