Tevez uses enforced absence to return home for family visit

(GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City have given Carlos Tevez permission to return home to Argentina to visit his family as the forward recuperates from a thigh injury.

The 26-year-old striker, who will miss tomorrow's League trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, suffered a dead leg during last Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal, with manager Roberto Mancini forced to take him off early in the second half.

Mancini had initially hoped Tevez would recover in time to feature at Molineux tomorrow, but the injury requires further rest. The Italian has used the striker's enforced absence to allow him to return home in an effort to ease his homesickness. City expect Tevez to return to training next week after he returns from Argentina on Monday.

Tevez is unlikely to be risked in next Thursday's Europa League trip to Lech Poznan, with City leading their Group after three games. His return is likely to come against West Bromwich Albion a week on Sunday, ahead of the Manchester derby at Eastlands three days later.

The future of the player has been the subject of renewed speculation this week after fellow City striker Roque Santa Cruz spoke out about his team-mate's situation.

"His heart is with his family," the Paraguayan said this week. "He wants to be with his people and they are in Argentina. His brothers and also his daughters are there. When one feels that his homeland is calling he may do anything to go back, but I think he will stick it out and complete his contract with City before going back home." Tevez's contract at City runs for a further four years, although the club would rather sell than risk him leaving as a free agent after his contract expires.

The forward has been in fine form for City this season, scoring seven goals in 12 games to lead the Premier League goalscoring charts. City slipped to fourth in the table following the defeat to Arsenal.

Defender Kolo Touré has urged his team-mates to overcome the loss of their captain and recover from Sunday's loss. "It's been a difficult week," said the Ivorian, who remains a doubt with a hamstring injury. "It's always hard against a team like Arsenal, but the key to the season is to win the games that you expect to win. We have a tough game at Wolves [but] they have had a difficult week, with a game against Chelsea followed by one at Manchester United."