Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini looks set to reluctantly use Carlos Tevez at some stage of Tuesday’s vital Premier League clash with Tottenham (City 10/11 to beat Spurs).

The Argentina international hit-man has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury against Liverpool on April 11 and has been undergoing intense physiotherapy to try and get himself fit for the end-of-season run-in as well as the FA Cup final against Stoke on May 14 (City 4/5 to win FA Cup final).

The former Manchester United ace has been in superb form this term, with 19 top-flight goals under his belt already and, despite the talent on show, remains the most important member of Mancini’s squad as they look break the dominance of neighbours United in the English game.

City have made no secret of the fact they are desperate to secure Champions League football next season and looked to have sewn up fourth place just a few weeks ago.

But Saturday’s defeat at Everton has given both Liverpool and Spurs hope of sneaking into the top four right at the end of the campaign.

Victory for City against Harry Redknapp’s men will finally secure fourth spot in the standings and, mindful of the importance of the match and previous events, Mancini has hinted that he could well give Tevez some playing time at the City of Manchester Stadium rather than hold him back for the FA Cup final.

“Carlos can probably be on the bench,” he said. “I’m disappointed because if we had won the game at Everton it was finished and we could have prepared well for the final.

“But now we are thinking only of Tottenham. It is impossible to rest players and, yes, I have learned from the Liverpool game.”