Manchester City train without Carlos Tevez

Manchester City trained without Carlos Tevez this morning ahead of tomorrow's Europa League game at Porto.

Tevez reported back to the club last night after spending more than three months in Argentina without permission.

The 28-year-old striker has not been registered to play in Europe and was therefore not involved as the first team trained for the final time before flying out to Portugal this afternoon.

Tevez was given his own fitness plan, as is customary for players who miss training for any reason, after checking in at the club's training ground for a medical last night.

Manager Roberto Mancini was not present as Tevez spent just over an hour back at Carrington and it now seems their first meeting since the player's return will take place later this week.

Mancini has recently seemed open to the possibility of Tevez playing again but has long maintained the forward must apologise first for the events of the past four-and-a-half months.

Tevez has not played for City since refusing to warm up as a substitute during the infamous Champions League loss at Bayern Munich in September.

Tevez then flew to Argentina without authorisation on November 7 and remained there in the hope of securing a move during the January transfer window.

Despite interest from AC Milan, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, a deal failed to materialise and the player decided to return to the north west and resume his City career.

Mancini has also not yet responded to an interview Tevez gave to Argentinian TV earlier this week in which he claimed he had been treated "like a dog" by the City boss in Munich.

It remains to be seen how quickly Mancini, who is due to give a press conference in Portugal this evening, decides to reintegrate Tevez into his squad.

Another matter outstanding is that of Tevez's appeal against a six-week fine - believed to be around £1.2million - imposed by City for his absence.

Tevez failed in a first appeal against the sanction but has lodged another with the Premier League.

In terms of match-fitness Tevez, who did not look in bad shape on arrival back in Manchester, has said he can be ready in two weeks.

City do not have a game this weekend as they are no longer involved in the FA Cup and their next game after tomorrow's is next week's return against Porto.

They then face Blackburn on February 25 and Bolton on March 3, both at the Etihad Stadium.

PA