Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended Mario Balotelli, who will sit out the derby clash with Manchester United on Wednesday.
The £24 million striker, who arrived from Inter Milan in the summer, was sent off in the victory over West Brom on Sunday after scoring a brace. City are awaiting the outcome of a Football Association appeal hearing against an automatic three-match ban for the 20-year-old Italian's dismissal against the Baggies.
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."
He added: "I hope he can improve in all ways. When you are a young guy you must improve day by day. That is important."
Mancini could be short of attacking options as Emmanuel Adebayor is doubtful for the derby.
Adebayor has a calf injury and his fitness will be monitored in the hours leading up the to the game.
Aleksandar Kolarov is pushing for a place in the starting line-up following his recovery from an ankle injury.
Source: PA
