Mancini plays down Tevez quit talk

Roberto Mancini is certain Carlos Tevez will not carry through his threat to quit top level football.

During the recent international break, Tevez has repeated a previous statement that he is no longer in love with the game and is looking forward with relish to a time when he can return home to Argentina without the pressure of high-profile football.

"I haven't spoken to him about this. Carlos is born to play football. I don't know if he will continue to play here for 10 years or whether he goes back to Argentina but he will play football," said Mancini.

Tiredness could be part of the problem. In addition to 10 games for his club already this term, Tevez has undertaken two long trips for the international cause, including one to Japan during the most recent break.

Mancini can sense it is taking its toll and will therefore ask the Argentina FA to leave the 26-year-old out of the high-profile friendly with Brazil next month.

"Argentina have a friendly but I hope in November he can stay here," said Mancini.

"Carlos didn't work from the start of the season. He arrived here in August. After three days he went away with the national team. But he still needed to recover after the World Cup. The tiredness is a problem for Carlos. Argentina do not just play in Europe, so it is very difficult."

Mancini cites that extreme tiredness as the reason for Tevez's explosion at half-time in the Newcastle encounter when, frustrated at City's poor performance, the South American gave vent to his feelings.

His manager responded, in a manner that initially led Tevez to believe he was being hauled off. Mancini insists the drama has been somewhat overplayed.

"I played football," he said. "I understand when you are tired maybe sometimes you can say things you don't want to say. This is normal."