Carlos Tevez
is undergoing a pre-season-style conditioning programme that involves
him training for two hours in mid-afternoon and later working for about
an hour in the gym.
LONDON: Carlos Tevez is set for a dramatic return to Manchester City's first team after finally saying sorry.
In what will be seen as a victory
for manager Roberto Mancini in his battle with the striker, Tevez met
City's football administration officer Brian Marwood and other officials
on Tuesday.
He then issued a short statement in which he
admitted his actions had been unacceptable and apologised 'sincerely and
unreservedly to everybody I have let down'.
He has also dropped his appeal
to the Premier League against the six-week fine imposed by City for
gross misconduct, totalling almost £1.2 million (S$2.37 million), that
he was given for going absent without official leave.
Since the start of the season, his dispute with City has cost him £9.3 million in fines, bonuses and wages.
The controversial Argentina striker was
originally fined two weeks' wages for refusing to follow Mancini's
instructions during the Champions League loss at Bayern Munich last
September.
The 28-year-old then fled to Buenos Aires
without permission six weeks later, and remained in self-imposed exile
for three months. He returned to Manchester last Tuesday, having accused
Mancini of treating him 'like a dog' in Munich.
The apology came only a few hours after Samir Nasri became the latest City player to urge Tevez to say 'sorry' for his actions.
Tevez, last season's joint top league scorer, has yet to see Mancini or even speak with the Italian since his return.
But the manager has been kept informed of events and is understood to be happy with how matters have progressed.
Tevez is undergoing a pre-season-style
conditioning programme that involves him training for two hours in
mid-afternoon and later working for about an hour in the gym, as City
look to 'return him to optimum fitness'.
Both parties could do with each other as City
chase the Premier League title. City have managed only 11 goals in their
past eight league games. Striker Sergio Aguero has shown signs of
tiredness, Edin Dzeko's form has been indifferent and Mario Balotelli
has been absent through suspension and injury.
But Mancini remains coy in public. When asked
if there will be a meeting with Tevez, he said on Tuesday: 'There is a
meeting tomorrow - against Porto.'
City started yesterday's Europa League last-32
second leg tie with defending champions Porto, having secured a 2-1
advantage in Portugal.
But tensions have been raised after the
English club complained to Uefa that Balotelli and Yaya Toure were the
target of racist chants at the Estadio do Dragao last Thursday. Uefa on
Tuesday announced the launch of an investigation.
Toure does not expect Porto to relinquish
their crown without a fight at the Etihad Stadium. 'It's not finished
yet,' said the midfielder.