Roberto Mancini has told Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez he must prove his fitness for the FA Cup final by playing at least one match before the Wembley clash against Stoke.

Tevez missed last weekend’s semi-final win against Manchester United with a hamstring injury and is in a race against time to recover for the final on May 14. The former United forward has been given permission to fly to Italy to receive treatment from the Argentina team doctor in a bid to step up his recovery.

City face Tottenham in the league four days before the final and Mancini said that if Tevez and injured defender Jerome Boateng cannot play in that match, then they will not play in the final.

“Tevez has decided he wants to be with the Argentina physio for treatment,” City manager Mancini said.

“I think he has confidence in his own physio. His injury is not easy to deal with and he always works with this physio so it is not unusual for this to happen.

“He is there for treatment, morning and afternoon. He will be in Milan seven to 10 days and then come back.

“We have another four weeks so I hope we can recover Carlos for the final. His progress has been good.”