Mancini backs Balotelli

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended Mario Balotelli, who will sit out the derby clash with Manchester United tomorrow.

The £24m striker, who arrived from Inter Milan in the summer, was sent off in the victory over West Brom on Sunday after scoring a brace.

City are awaiting the outcome of a Football Association appeal hearing today against an automatic three-match ban for Balotelli’s dismissal against the Baggies.

The 20-year-old Italian has endured a mixed start to his Eastlands career, suffering a knee injury and being booked twice before the Albion game.

Asked if he was concerned about Balotelli’s attitude, Mancini said today: “Mario is a young guy, a top player, sometimes he can make a mistake. That is normal.

“In the last game the punishment was too severe.

“I hope he can improve in all ways. When you are a young guy you must improve day by day. That is important.”

Mancini could be short of attacking options as Emmanuel Adebayor is doubtful for the derby.

Adebayor has a calf injury and his fitness will be monitored in the hours leading up the to the game.

Aleksandar Kolarov is pushing for a place in the starting line-up following his recovery from an ankle injury.

Team (from): Hart, Richards, Zabaleta, Bridge, Lescott, Boyata, De Jong, Vieira, Barry, Johnson, K Toure, Y Toure, Tevez, Silva, Adebayor, Kolarov, Given, Milner, Kompany, Boateng.