Balloteli eyes return
Balloteli eyes return
Italian striker Mario Balotelli is hoping to return to action for Manchester City by the end of November. After featuring for just 33 minutes in his debut against Timisoara in the Europa League, Balotelli sustained an injury to the lateral meniscus in his right knee. The 20-year-old went under the knife at the start of September and was expected to be back within 5 weeks, but complications with his recovery have put him out for longer. His first match back is likely to be another Europa League tie, against Juventus on the November 16th. The tie holds special significance for Balotelli, who received racial abuse whilst playing for Inter Milan against the Old Lady in Turin, forcing subsequent games to be played behind closed doors.
Balotelli made the move to Manchester City for £24 million in the summer as part of Mancini's summer spending spree, and will be keen to impress in a squad which is loaded with competition.
He will need to recover some of the form that saw him hit 28 goals in 86 appearances for Inter since his debut in December 2007 if he is going to succeed.
The Citizens have made a decent start to the season, with losses to Sunderland and the bizarrely in-form West Brom in the Carling Cup being forgotten after a victory against the visiting champions Chelsea last week.
If they could only find some level of consistency and fluidity to their game, Manchester could be a serious threat to not only the top four, but to the top three.
With the possible of exception of a trip to Blackpool, City have a tough run of games coming up, Juventus and Lech Poznan at home in the Europa, and Newcastle and Arsenal in the Premier League, Mancini will have to call on all his resources for a busy October.
The biggest test will come in November, when City host United, in what is sure to be a heated affair. City will be looking for revenge for the same fixture back in April, when Paul Scholes' last minute winner gave Sir Alex Ferguson's men the win.
Arsenal news
Arsenal already tracking PL winger ahead of January move
Arsenal handed major boost on Odegaard for Newcastle trip
Chelsea news
Ruben Amorim won't be joining Man Utd before Chelsea game
Enzo Maresca explains why Cole Palmer didn't face Newcastle
Newcastle United news
Arsenal handed major boost on Odegaard for Newcastle trip
Enzo Maresca explains why Cole Palmer didn't face Newcastle