Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted he is seriously concerned about Mario Balotelli after the striker suffered yet another injury setback.
Balotelli is set to be out for a month after a recurrence of a knee injury originally suffered during his debut against Timisoara in August. Balotelli, 20, was forced to have an operation that kept him out for two months.
After not playing since December 28, Mancini has now confirmed his striker has suffered a recurrence of his knee injury. City medical staff have advised Balotelli to rest for four weeks and then resume training, in the hope that will rectify the problem.
“It is bad news,” Mancini said. “I am worried because he can’t play for another three or four weeks at an important moment for us. To have an operation done and then to have another problem two months later is strange. He may need surgery. We just don’t know. He must rest, then he will have treatment and work. Hopefully then he will be OK.”
Despite Balotelli’s injury, Mancini is prepared to sanction the departure of Roque Santa Cruz.
“For Roque it is possible,” said Mancini. “He is a good guy and he deserves to play. But with Emmanuel (Adebayor) I don’t know. We must wait and see.”
Take advantage of the January sales by saving up to 36% on a subscription to World Soccer
