Tevez scored five league goals for Manchester United last season
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes remains hopeful that Carlos Tevez will be fit for the start of the season.
The striker aggravated a heel injury by slipping in the shower but has since returned to training and could play in Saturday's friendly against Celtic.
Hughes had a request granted for Tevez, 25, not to be included in Argentina's friendly with Russia on 12 August.
City striker Roque Santa Cruz will miss the season opener at former club Blackburn because of a knee injury.
"He (Tevez) had a training session this morning and came through that well, so we'll see how he goes tomorrow," said Hughes.
"There's a possibility we'll try to give him a bit of a game because we're mindful that time is pressing and there aren't that many opportunities to give him game time, but if we feel there's a risk, we won't do that."
Tevez suffered the original injury while on international duty and Hughes was keen the forward, who cost City £25.5m to bring to Eastlands in July after a two-year loan at Manchester United, did not aggravate the injury further.
He was assessed by national team doctor Donato Villani and Argentine officials have chosen not to include the striker in their plans for the friendly.
Tevez has already sat out the first month of City's pre-season training because of the initial heel problem.
"He's not going with the international squad which is good news from our point of view," said Hughes.
"We thank the Argentine FA in that regard because they've been fully understanding of Carlos's situation in that he hasn't had much training."
However, Argentina play Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in September - a match that coach Diego Maradona has already stated a desire to have his strongest squad available for.
"I don't want to take any risks for the match against Brazil. We're 20 days away," said Maradona. "For one of our players to get hurt would be catastrophic and give Brazil much more of a chance."
There's a possibility we'll try to give him a bit of a game because we're mindful that time is pressing
Mark Hughes
Paraguayan Santa Cruz, who City signed from Blackburn for £18m in June, has been has been hampered by a persistent knee problem. Hughes revealed the 27-year-old is still weeks away from training with the rest of the squad.
"Roque is training every day but still has a bit of rehab to go," said Hughes. "He is about two and half weeks away from coming back into the group. Then there will be a period of time when he will to get some general fitness.
"We are mindful of that, as we have options up front. We won't push him back before he is ready but he is progressing well. We are confident he is on time and he will be a great option for us."
City will also be without Belgian Vincent Kompany, 23, who can play in defence or midfield, for the start of the season after he had an operation on a long-standing toe problem.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?