Media round-up: Wednesday, 12th October

Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri and David Silva all earned honourable mentions for their performances for their respective national teams last night. Dzeko and Nasri were both on the scoresheet as France drew 1-1 with Bosnia, whilst Silva grabbed a brace as Spain ended Scotland's play-off hopes.

The Daily Mirror claim that City are targetting Napoli duo Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, after the pair impressed at Eastlands in the recent Champions League tie. This despite Mancini stating yesterday in an interview with Il Domani dello Sport that he would struggle to accomodate them in the side. "(Lavezzi) is a great player and devastating in his every move. But I would not know where to put him at City. The same goes for Hamsik, who I first admired while in Italy. I wanted to take him to Inter when he played for Brescia."

Meanwhile The Sun report that Carlos Tevez could find himself banned for a further four weeks, as City put their case to the PFA for his suspension to be extended. The Argentine is due to train tomorrow but City want his punishment extended before then to avoid him returning to Carrington. Mancini has already made it clear he does not want the player involved with the first-team squad.

Finally Mancini has branded Mario Balotelli as Manchester City’s secret weapon in their search for Champions League salvation, according to the Manchester Evening News. Mancini said: “He’s going strong and I am convinced that this time it will last. He will be our weapon in the Champions League.”