Source: Daily_Mail
Roberto Mancini happy for Mario Balotelli to shoot from the lip
No holding him back: Manchester City manager Mancini with outspoken striker Balotelli[LNB]Mario Balotelli's chances of being fit for the Manchester derby liewith the American doctor who saved the careers of Tiger Woods and JonnyWilkinson.[LNB] The Manchester City striker is out with a knee problem, on which hehas had one operation already this season. [LNB]He has now flown out for twoweeks of rehabilitation with knee specialist Dr Bill Knowles at theVermont Orthopaedic Clinic in Killington.[LNB] Dr Knowles has also treated Michael Owen and dozens of downhill skiers.[LNB] City manager Roberto Mancini said: 'The surgeon has said he doesn'tneed an operation so in these two weeks he must work hard in Vermont.We hope that, when he comes back, he will be ready to play.'[LNB] Balotelli was thought to be reluctant to go so far for treatment but was persuaded when he saw Dr Knowles' client list.[LNB] With the Manchester derby on February 12, he has only an outside chance of playing.[LNB] 'Maybe,' was how Mancini put it. 'But it's more important that when he comes back he can play in all the games this season.[LNB] 'He's never been 100 per cent since he's been here. But he's improved with games. For him it's important to play regularly.'[LNB]Balotelli has played only 11 games since his summer arrival from Inter Milan, scoring eight goals - but the 20-year-old has become as well known for what he says as what he does.[LNB]This week he said in an interview in Italy that Wayne Rooney was not even 'the best striker in Manchester'.[LNB]Asked whether Balotelli should tread more carefully in his new town, Mancini said: 'I have not read the interview so I don't know what he said. I know he likes to joke sometimes. I don't think he means this (about Rooney).[LNB]'He is a fantastic player. It's like this, though: United, City, United, City. It's normal.[LNB]'Mario has fantastic talent. He has everything he needs to be one of the best strikers but he needs to improve and work and show all these things.[LNB] Target: Manchester United striker Rooney was in Balotelli's line of fire during his recent interview[LNB]'But it's a free world. If he wants to speak then he can speak. Ifsomebody wants tosay something then itis better that he says it.[LNB]'This is not the SS. It's not like the war when we couldn't speak. If you want to say everything then you can say it.[LNB]'But it is important he shows his talent. For his future it's important that he improves. At the moment this is the best league in Europe. This time is very important for him.'[LNB] Johnson confident Manchester United will slip up to hand City a trophyClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryVeteran Vieira eyes silver lining for 'group of winners' at Manchester CityChelsea make Lescott their second choice if Luiz proves too expensiveAll the latest Manchester City news, features and opinion [LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Roberto Mancini, Tiger Woods, Michael Owen Places: Manchester, Italy, Europe
