Tevez could stay at City, says Platt

Carlos Tevez could still have a future at Manchester City according to assistant manager David Platt.

The Argentine has been out of favour at Eastlands following his refusal to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich in September, with the Premier League leaders holding negotiations with Serie A rivals AC Milan and Inter over a proposed transfer throughout January.

However, with talks having reportedly broken down on Thursday, Platt has refused to rule out the possibility of a surprise stay at the Etihad Stadium for the 27-year-old.

“I don’t know. Stranger things have happened,” Platt admitted.

“Without being in that loop (on Milan negotiations), what I’m led to believe is that unless the deal is right for the football club then it is not happening anyway.”

Despite the recent squad shortage at the club, with Vincent Kompany serving a four-game suspension, and Ivorian brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure participating in the Africa Cup of Nations, Platt has insisted that for now, City also see Tevez as unavailable for selection.

“It’s the same with Vincent, we’re without Vincent for four games,” the former England international said.

“No disrespect to him, but we have to concentrate on the players who are available.”

“Others are away at the African Nations. Circumstances have dictated that Carlos is not available to us, and so that is how we have to deal with it.”

Robert Mancini’s side face Wigan on Monday, and Platt revealed the club are hopeful Spanish attacker David Silva will be available for selection, having missed out on Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg defeat to Liverpool through injury.

“David did a bit of running on Thursday and will do a bit more on Friday,” he said.

“Hopefully he will be back on the training pitch on Saturday.”