Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has claimed there is a chance that Carlos Tevez could feature in City's Premier League clash against Chelsea next week.

The Argentina international, who has not played in City's first team since September, has built up his fitness in the club's reserves and clinched a goal against Bolton Wanderers last Tuesday.

"We'll see in the next week [if Tevez can play against Chelsea], it depends on Carlos but probably," Mancini said in a pre-match press conference for City's Europa League fixture against Sporting Lisbon. "But it depends on a lot of things."

The North West side relinquished their lead at the top of the table after stumbling to a 1-0 defeat against Swansea City on Sunday.

Despite slipping to a point behind Manchester United in the race for the title, Mancini has claimed that his side need to move on and remain focused.

"We can't cry," Mancini added. "Now is the time to be strong and keep going."

City trail 1-0 to Sporting after the first leg of the round-of-16 stage.