No go: Mancini ruled out a move for Edinson Cavani in January

Tevez remains in Argentina and has given no indication of when he plans to return. City are still paying his £198,000-a-week wages although it is unclear just how long that will continue.

Meanwhile, his representatives are trying to secure a move to Italy and will hold talks with Juventus after meeting AC Milan officials on Thursday.

Milan are favourites to sign Tevez but neighbours Inter could yet enter the  equation, with City insisting that any deal must be done on their terms.

Tevez’s adviser Kia Joorabchian said: ‘I talked to Carlos and he would be happy to come to Italy. We talked with AC Milan.
The big Italian clubs are to our liking —Tevez wants to play in a big club.’

Mancini turns 47 on Sunday and hopes to celebrate by seeing his side consolidate their place at the top of the table by
kicking off a difficult run of games with a victory at Liverpool. He is set to face Craig Bellamy for the first time since their clash of personalities led to the Welshman’s  acrimonious departure from City.

‘If he plays against us he’ll want to play well and that’s normal,’ said Mancini. ‘If he’s happy, I’m happy for him.’

The Blues have not won at Anfield since 2003 but will travel there this weekend with a five-point lead at the top of the table after winning 11 of their 12 games.

City also won nine games in succession in all competitions after losing at Bayern Munich two months ago and are hoping to make a similar recovery now, although Mancini is taking nothing for granted.

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