Mancini facing first Man City crisis ahead of crucial spell

Roberto Mancini is facing the first crisis of his Manchester City reign ahead of the four games that will make-or-break their season.

City's next three Premier League games are against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham as they aim to cement fourth place and claim a coveted Champions League spot.

Sandwiched between those first two games is an FA Cup replay against Stoke, with City desperate to win to preserve their hopes of ending their 34-year wait for a trophy.

But ahead of tomorrow's showdown with Liverpool, Mancini has to contend with simmering dressing-room unrest - as revealed by Mirror Sport - and is without several key players.

While the City boss denied a bust-up with Craig Bellamy, the striker's persistent knee problem means the best he can hope for is a place on the bench tomorrow.

And with Carlos Tevez still in Argentina on compassionate leave, Patrick Vieira banned for three games and some players unhappy under Mancini, the City boss faces a big test.

City badly missed Tevez in their last two games, 1-1 draws against Stoke in the FA Cup and Premier League, and Mancini admitted his star striker cannot return soon enough.

Tevez, City's leading scorer this season with 19 goals, remains in his native Argentina after his partner gave birth to their second daughter a month prematurely.

"I hope Carlos can solve his problems with his family and come back very quickly," said Mancini.

"The last time I spoke with him was two days ago. I told him 'come quickly because we have important games'. He said 'when I solve my problem I will come back'.

"I think the baby is okay now and I hope Carlos can come back here very quickly because we need him.

"He wants to stay with his family. He won't be here on Sunday but I hope he is back for the FA Cup replay against Stoke and the game at Chelsea.

"It's a difficult situation because the baby was born one month prematurely but it's important everything is okay and then Carlos can come back here to play."

As for his supposed spat with Bellamy, Mancini played down the notion of a rift, insisting the pair simply disagreed over the best course of treatment for the player's dodgy knee.

"I read that I have a problem with Craig," said Mancini. "I read that I shouted at him. I haven't shouted at him and and I haven't any problem with him.

"For his knee he wanted to work in one mode, I preferred another mode, that's all. The most important thing is that players are happy and can work well."

With Tevez absent, Bellamy unfit and several of his first-team players disillusioned at being marginalised, not to mention City's recent poor form, Mancini needs a result on Sunday.

A point ahead of Liverpool in fourth after a scrambled draw against 10-man Stoke in midweek, a win would give City a major advantage in the race for the last Champions League spot.

But Mancini knows it will not be easy to beat Liverpool, despite City's impressive record at Eastlands, which has seen them undefeated in their last 21 games there in all competitions.

"Liverpool are a big club who are used to playing at the top of the table and in the Champions League, so Sunday will be a big game," said Mancini.

"After the three games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham we have another 10 games in the Premier League.

"If we lost against Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham, it would be difficult to arrive in the top four ñ but we haven't lost those games yet.

"We must think only about Liverpool, play well and beat them. It's better that we draw than lose, but it can happen that you lose some games."