Mancini hopeful Argentina will restrict Tevez's duties

Tevez will miss City's trip to Wolves in the Barclays Premier League today with a thigh injury and was given permission to travel to Argentina to visit his family before reporting back on Monday.

Team-mate Roque Santa Cruz has been quoted as saying the club captain wants to be back "among his people" in Argentina and that he thinks Tevez will return to his homeland after his current deal with City ends in 2014.

Mancini yesterday expressed his sympathy for Tevez but insists he has no fears about the 26-year-old quitting early.

Referring to reports of Tevez being homesick, Mancini said: "He never talks to me about this, but I think it is normal. When you are in another country for a long time, it is normal that sometimes you need your country or your family.

"But he has his job here and it is a fantastic job. I don't think we have a problem."

Asked if he was worried Tevez might not see out the whole of his contract at City, Mancini replied: "No, not at all."

It has been suggested that Tevez is growing disillusioned with football and particularly the dual demands of playing for club and country.

Mancini believes it would be beneficial for the player if he was able to curb his commitments with the Argentina national side.

"It is impossible, I think, but maybe sometimes when they have a friendly match it would be better for him to stay here to recover," Mancini said. "If it is possible, it would be better for us and better for him. But when they are important games with the national team, it is difficult."

Fulham manager Mark Hughes could be set to renew his interest in Santa Cruz when the January transfer window opens.

Hughes failed in an attempt to sign the forward on loan during the summer but is weighing up a second approach for the unsettled City striker.

Hughes worked with Santa Cruz at Eastlands and Blackburn and the Paraguay international has been told he can leave City.

"I'm interested in players of the quality of Roque," Hughes said. "My interest in him before was there for everybody to see.

"Whether we pursue that in January is open to debate. I'm not aware that he's available. That might change. But I don't like discussing players by name before we've actually signed him."