Mancini: Balotelli row overblown

Asked as he left training what he thought about his manager Roberto Mancini, Mario Balotelli told ITV News' Stephen Douglas: "Asked somebody else."

Read: Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini pictured in training ground scrap

Watch: Mario Balotelli: 'I don't speak English'

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told reporters at a pre-match new conference that his spat with striker Mario Balotelli was "nothing special" and the photographs published of the incident make it look worse than it was.

Read: Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini pictured in training ground scrap

Read: Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini pictured in training ground scrap

Roberto Mancini told a pre-match press conference: "I will give Mario a hundred chances. Things like this can happen at any club."

Read: Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini pictured in training ground scrap

Speaking at a pre-match press conference Roberto Mancini says "Mario is Mario" but he needs to change. He also confirmed he has no plans to sell the striker.

Roberto Mancini says the photographs of him and Mario Balotelli are worse than the incident actually was.

It is being reported that Manchester City's Mario Balotelli has arrived for training following his altercation with manager Roberto Mancini yesterday.

Mancini is set to hold a pre-match news conference later this morning.

Read: Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini pictured in training ground scrap

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is believed to sparked manager Roberto Mancini’s fury by ignoring his order to return to the dressing room following a challenge on team-mate Scott Sinclair, according to The Telegraph.

The newspaper said Balotelli has previously been involved in clashes with Micah Richards and Jerome Boateng on the City training pitch. It added that the incident is likely to harden the club's resolve to sell the striker in the January transfer window.

The two were locked in a heated exchange of words before Mancini grabbed Balotelli and attempted to force him off the pitch. Mario Balotelli then shoved Mancini before the two men were separated by coaches. Mancini was later pictured crouching with his head in his hands.