Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has defended Mario Balotelli, who will sit out the derby clash with Manchester United . 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 today against an automatic three-match ban for Balotelli's dismissal against the Baggies. The 20-year-old Italian 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 today: "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."
Source: PA
Source: PA