Mancini tells Balotelli to behave himself

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has pleaded with hot-headed striker Mario Balotelli to keep his composure over the coming weeks.

With Carlos Tevez reportedly set to return to the fold, it is the nature of another one of his turbulent strikers that Mancini is keen to keep a lid on, especially as the Premier League title run-in begins.

“I have spoken to Mario two weeks ago,” Mancini said.

“I said, ‘Please, we have 13 games to play and the Europa League, try to have good behaviour on the pitch and think to only play football’.”

The 21 year-old Italian striker, who is due to return from a four-match suspension for stamping on Tottenham’s Scott Parker, has courted controversy regularly since his arrival at the club.

He has received 17 yellow cards and three red cards since his arrival in 2010 and has been the subject of rumours regarding bizarre behaviour off the pitch.

“It is difficult to find a good definition for him,” Mancini said.

“We know that Mario is a fantastic player, but he’s young and sometimes he will make mistakes.”

“If he can keep his composure, if his head is OK, for the next couple of months he will be important for us. It’s important to have all the players ready and available for all the games.”