Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has insisted that Carlos Tevez has returned to the club with a different attitude.

The 28-year-old striker is likely to be on the bench for City's Premier League encounter with Chelsea on Wednesday, and Mancini has praised the Argentine ahead of the important fixture.

"In training, Carlos has been perfect and better than last year. He wants to play and help the team and his attitude is better. I have always thought Carlos is a top player, even when we had a problem," Mancini told The Sun.

"What happened with him six months ago is in the past. For the last month he has been part of our plans and for the next two months he will be a City player. Carlos wants to play football after six months – for his future he needs to play again."

Tevez has scored 52 goals in 84 games for City.