Tevez is Manchester City's Rooney: Mancini

London, Apr 10 (ANI): Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has said that their ace striker Carlos Tevez is their reply to Manchester United's Wayne Rooney.

The Argentine is in good form having already scored 26 goals this season and four in his last two matches for the Champions League-focused side.

Ahead of their clash with Manchester United at Eastlands on next Saturday, Mancini is hoping he can keep his own striker fit for the last six matches as they aim to hold on to their top-four spot.

Before their game against United, City host Birmingham on Sunday fully aware that a win would put them four points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham.

"We have had a lot of injuries. I hope that in the last six games we can play with a strong team. Carlos is most important for us like Rooney is for United. He is scoring a lot of goals and I am very happy with him," The Sun quoted Mancini, as saying.

Since Tevez's strike partner Emmanuel Adebayor returned from a ban last month, the deadly striker duo have scored six times in just two matches.

Adebayor echoed the thoughts of his manager by calling his pal one of the best in the business.

"Carlos is on top of his form right now. We are very delighted to have a striker like him in our team. It's great for me coming back into the game to play alongside him. He's one of the best in the business and we just pray he can keep going," he said.

"We have four of the best strikers around in the Premier League this year - we have Drogba, Rooney, Torres and Tevez. Those four are doing a great job for their clubs, they are all in top form and that's really good for the Premier League," Adebayor said. (ANI)