Source: PA
Balotelli can improve - Mancini
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended Mario Balotelli, who will sit out the derby against Manchester United as he starts a three-match ban.
Balotelli has lost his appeal against the suspension after the Football Association upheld the straight red card he was shown for a tangle with West Brom's Youssouf Mulumbu.
It means the former Inter Milan striker, who scored both goals in City's 2-0 win, will also miss the matches against Birmingham and Fulham.
The 20-year-old has endured a mixed start to his Eastlands career, suffering a knee injury and being booked twice before the Albion game.
Asked if he was concerned about Balotelli's attitude, Mancini said: "Mario is a young guy, a top player, sometimes he can make a mistake. That is normal.
"In the last game the punishment was too severe. I hope he can improve in all ways. When you are a young guy you must improve day by day. That is important."
