Tevez flew out to the Vodacom Challenge in South Africa after signing from Brazilian club Corinthians last month only to knock an already injured heel and miss out on the tour action.
The little striker is due to start training after his pre-season frustration, but he will not play in tomorrow night’s prestige friendly with Rangers at Ibrox and is doubtful to face Old Firm rivals Celtic on saturday.
Argentina’s doctor has now been to Carrington to check on Tevez’s progress with under-pressure coach Diego Maradona set to name his squad for the friendly against Russia in Moscow next Wednesday night.
Manager Hughes, aiming to have Tevez fit for the following Saturday’s big kick-off at Blackburn, said: “We don’t think Carlos should play for his international team and we’d prefer him to stay back next week.
“The Argentine doctor came over and he’ll be speaking to Maradona today. He’ll probably want to check and see how Carlos is now. Ideally, I’d prefer that he wasn’t selected. He’s not trained all pre-season.
“He had an injury from his last international then banged the same area when he slipped in the shower in South Africa. He’ll be fine for the start of the season, but he’s still not able to put his full weight on it.”
Another of Hughes’ summer recruits, England midfielder Gareth Barry, trained today for the first time in almost a week after a foot injury, and “will play a part” at Ibrox, added the Blues boss.
