Balotelli back on the bench

Mario Balotelli will be on the bench again for Manchester City’s FA Cup third round against Watford today.

City manager Roberto Mancini, pictured this week having a training ground bust-up with Balotelli, has made three changes with Costel Pantilimon replacing Joe Hart in goal, Javi Garcia coming in for Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez replacing Sergio Aguero.

Watford boss Gianfranco Zola, whose side are sixth in the Championship, has made six changes from the team that lost 4-3 at home to Charlton on New Year’s Day.

Man City: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Milner, Javi Garcia, Barry, Silva, Dzeko, Tevez.

Subs: Hart, Sinclair, Nastasic, Suarez, Rekik, Balotelli, Lopes.

Watford: Bond, Doyley, Nosworthy, Ekstrand, Cassetti, Forestieri, Eustace, Chalobah, Pudil, Vydra, Deeney.

Subs: Bonham, Neuton, Yeates, Anya, Geijo, Mujangi Bia, Battocchio.

Referee: Phil Dowd.