Tevez suffered a knock during the victory against Spain in a friendly in midweek and is doubtful for the Barclays Premier League match with Blackburn tomorrow.

The club captain indicated he might retire from Argentina but Mancini said: "It is important that a fantastic player like Carlos plays for Manchester City and the national team. The national team is always important.

"Would I mind if he carried on? No. But sometimes I would like Carlos and all players to stay here during the break. It is difficult when they re-start.

"The problem for me, like other managers, is that we have had players away on international duty. We work for two weeks with three players. It has been difficult."

Mancini is of the school of thought that would like to see international friendlies in August scrapped for a start.

"Yes I agree with this because it is incredible," he said. "After the World Cup some players came back but only stayed for three days.

"They did not train then they had a game with their national team. It is impossible for the players."

However Mancini was delighted that six City players finished England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland in Basle.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, James Milner, Adam Johnson and Shaun-Wright Phillips all played a part in the 3-1 victory.

Mancini said: "I was very proud. It is a fantastic thing for the club to have six players in the England team. It is an incredible situation for us.

"I think all our players did well and England played a good game against Switzerland. They have young players, who can play for long time."

Full back Micah Richards is in contention for a place against Blackburn after shrugging off a chest infection that caused him to drop out of the England Under-21 squad.

City are looking to bounce back following their first defeat of the season with Darren Bent scoring the winner for Sunderland with a stoppage time penalty.

Mancini believes it will be just as tough when they face a side shaped by Sam Allardyce.

"We suffered a defeat in the last seconds at Sunderland after a fantastic first half when we had a lot of chances," said the Italian. "It is very hard when you have lost and it is two weeks until the next game.

"Blackburn are a strong team and all games at the start of the season are very difficult. This year we will meet many teams that will stay with 10 players behind the ball. But if we stay calm until we find a solution we will be okay.

"When you play Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United you do not have this problem because they play to win. But this is football.

We must work more and get better results this month."