Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has ordered Carlos Tevez to return from Argentina, where he has been on compassionate leave, after the forward ignored repeated requests to give the club a date for his expected return.
City missed the Argentine striker as they drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Eastlands on Sunday and Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor is now Mancini's only fully match-fit senior striker.
Tevez has been in his homeland for over a week since his girlfriend gave birth to a child one month prematurely and has ignored repeated questions from City management about his return date.
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The player's girlfriend, and the child, are now out of danger but Tevez is yet to return, or indicate when he can be expected back.
At the start of a week in which the club faces a crucial FA Cup replay at Stoke and an away trip to league leaders Chelsea, City have ordered Tevez to return.
"I don't know when he will be back. He is in Argentina and it's a big problem for us," Mancini said.
"We have an important week and we do not have the depth so it is not good.
"He went eight days ago and we have tried to get him back. I hope he is back in a day or two because we need him.
"I have ordered him to come back but he has ignored us. I spoke with Carlos three days ago and maybe he is on a plane now. He has had some problems with his family but I think they are all resolved now."
City supporters voiced their dissatisfaction at the end of the game, as they did at the end of last weekend's disappointing home draw with Stoke in the FA Cup.
But Mancini insists his lack of fully-fit forwards has forced him into a more cautious style of play.
"Like we did against Manchester United, the team played as a team, this is important," Mancini said.
"But I have a big problem, I only have Adebayor up front because (Craig) Bellamy has only been with the team the last few days, Carlos is in Argentina and Roque Santa Cruz has had a problem with his knee.
"We tried to win but it is not easy against Liverpool, they are a good team. But not winning has made it a more important week."
