Confident Roberto Mancini says Manchester City 'will win the title'

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is convinced his side will win the Barclays Premier League title.

City have slipped four points behind rivals Manchester United at the top but play their game in hand against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.

In a match in which controversial striker Carlos Tevez is poised to return, Mancini expects City to cut the gap and put the pressure back on United.

And then with another nine games to play, including a home clash with United on April 30, the Italian is confident his men will prevail.

He said: "We will win the title, we will win. We will do everything to win the title. We need to think positive always.

"Until now we have had a fantastic Premier League, we need to continue like this.

"We play one game a week, we can have more concentration about this."

Tevez could be named on the bench just over five weeks after he returned to training following his unauthorised three-month absence in Argentina.

The 28-year-old has not played for the first team since last September but is now close to match fitness after ending his dispute with the club.

Mancini said: "He is getting better but I don't think Carlo can have more than 25-30 minutes.

"A player like Carlo needs to play but for 90 minutes it is impossible.

"But if he can play 30 minutes, after 45, then in three or four games he could have 90 minutes, easily.

"Tomorrow we will decide. We want to know the situation with the players."

City still have defensive problems ahead of the game with first-choice centre-backs Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott struggling with calf and groin problems respectively.

PA