Mancini hopeful Tevez will return soon to aid City

The Argentina international has been in his homeland for over a week after his wife gave birth prematurely.

With Tevez's wife Vanesa now out of hospital, although the baby is still in intensive care, Mancini wants the 26-year-old back in England.

However, there is no indication yet as to when the 19-goal striker is due to return which is a concern for Mancini with an FA Cup replay against Stoke and a trip to Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea in the coming days.

"I don't know where Tevez is – I think in Argentina," said Mancini after yesterday's goalless draw at home to Liverpool.

"It's a big problem for us because we have an important week and we don't have Tevez. For me it is no good.

"Carlos has been eight days at home and I don't know if while in Argentina he has been working. I hope Carlos, within the next two days, can come back here because we need him. Maybe he is on the plane. I spoke to him three days ago. He had some problems with his family but now it has been resolved and I hope he comes back.

"I think he will come back in two days. I need him."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez bemoaned his side's inability to break down stubborn City.

He highlighted an incident late in the game when substitute Yossi Benayoun was touched by defender Victor Kompany inside the penalty area but continued his run and did not go to ground.

However, the Reds boss must have been one of the few people in the ground who felt his side could have been awarded a spot-kick for an innocuous challenge which went unnoticed by the majority.

Liverpool did not create a clear-cut chance to warrant a victory which would have lifted them back up to fourth but at least the draw ensured they did not lose further ground on one of their main rivals for Champions League qualification.

"I don't think the result is good for anyone. We both wanted to win and I have to think about the positives," said Benitez.

"We were strong, we did well and we have two players coming back – that is all you can say after the game."

Those two players coming back were Benayoun and striker Fernando Torres, both of whom have been out for five weeks, with rib and knee injuries respectively.

Neither really looked like changing the outcome of the result but Benitez was pleased to have them back, especially Torres whom he did not think would be in contention just over a month since a knee operation.