Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini faces losing Gareth Barry to suspension after the defensive midfielder was charged by the English FA.

The fall-out from Sunday’s derby defeat to Manchester United continued after the England international was accused of using abusive and/or insulting words towards a match official.

Barry has until 4pm tomorrow to respond to the charge, which is understood to have happened after the match.

If he does not contest it the midfielder will receive a one-match ban but should he contest it and the charge be proven against him, the suspension will be increased to two games.

Meanwhile, Mancini has moved to dismiss suggestions Mario Balotelli will be sold despite his stern words for the striker after Sunday’s defeat.

Mancini said after the game: “When you have a player that has Mario’s quality, you cannot understand why he continues to throw it out of the window.”

That sparked speculation the Italy international could soon be returning to his homeland but Mancini told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Balotelli has enormous quality, he is not for sale. He is a player 22 years old who has the quality to change a game at any time. I hope this moment will come soon.”

Mancini also played down suggestions City could move for a host of Serie A players in January. The Italian has no intention of resurrecting his summer approach for Roma’s Daniele de Rossi and also denied any interest in Wesley Sneijder, who is out of favour at Inter Milan amid a contract dispute.

AC Milan’s Stephane El Shaarawy, Serie A’s top scorer, was another name mentioned but Mancini said: “I do not think we can take him, Milan have found a great champion for the future.”