City striker Carlos Tevez is set to miss Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford. The Argentine is still recovering form the injury he sustained during Argentina’s 3-1 defeat at home to Brazil in a World Cup qualifier.
With Emmanuel Adebayor looking increasingly likely to be suspended, it leaves Craig Bellamy as to lone striker for Sunday’s encounter where victory for City will lift them above the team from Trafford with a game in hand.
Tevez flew back to England on Tuesday and is determined to overcome to injury to allow him to play against his former teammates. However, City assistant manager Mark Bowen has said Tevez will be assessed but the Argentine is being considered as unlikely to make the line-up. “We wouldn’t 100 per cent rule him out yet,” says Bowen before adding the striker is ‘very doubtful.’ Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz has returned to full training but he is also classed as being doubtful for the match.
Bellamy though has proved this season to be a valuable member of the squad, having scored one and made another during Saturday’s 4-2 win over Arsenal. Manager Mark Hughes could opt to play Bellamy alone and use a five man midfield or shift either Shaun Wright-Phillips into a forward position.
Adebayor has until 1800 this evening to answer to the charge but it is widely expected that, no matter what he says or does, the striker will be found guilty and suspended from at least three of City’s next games.