MANCHESTER CITY MANAGER Roberto Mancini has hinted that striker Carlos Tevez could stay at the club next season.

The Argentine forward spent much of the winter in his native Argentina following a highly-publicised falling out with Mancini. But he has since returned to England, scoring four goals in his last two games, leaving the Italian to insist the pair are no longer in conflict.

“What has happened is in the past. He is no problem in the training ground or dressing room,” he told The Sun.

Mancini also recently suggested that fellow striker Mario Balotelli could be sold after the Italian’s sending off against Arsenal, the latest in a series of incidents involving the 21-year-old, but added that he would wait until the end of the season to think about players’ futures.

“After the season we will see what can happen with the players,” he said. ”It depends. I think it is important that we think about the next four games.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Nigel De Jong praised Tevez’s contribution to the club after his side revived their title challenge with successive victories against West Brom and Norwich.

“It just is a joy to watch,” he said of Tevez and strike partner Sergio Aguero’s performance against Norwich on Saturday. ”I mean, if you play behind them and see how they play together, how they move together and play with each other.

“It’s not just the two of them — there are other guys in the team as well — and I just think it’s a joy to watch for every football player. In a way it’s a relief to be on the same side as them.”

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