ROBERTO MANCINI is fighting for his future as the Manchester City manager. He needs a strong finish to the season to strengthen his case for a new contract.

Although there will be no kneejerk reaction from City owner Sheikh Mansour or chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, who admire the Italian, Mancini is conscious that a further capitulation would leave his job prospects in the balance.

Formal talks between the club’s hierarchy and Mancini regarding a new deal have always been scheduled to commence at the end of the season, in May. Mancini’s contract has only a year remaining.

City are eight points behind Manchester United with only six games remaining after their 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday. Mancini will not concede the champions their 20th title until it is mathematically impossible for them to be caught, although the prospects of City winning a first crown since 1968 are distant.

Mancini’s hopes of arresting his side’s dire run of five points from their past five matches when West Bromwich Albion visit the Etihad Stadium tomorrow evening are not enhanced by injuries and suspensions of key players.

Yaya Toure, who limped out of the Arsenal defeat, and David Silva, troubled by ankle and knee problems, are uncertain starters, while Mario Balotelli is out after his sending off at the Emirates.

Balotelli’s suspension and the indifferent form of Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko may pave they way for Carlos Tevez to make his first start since September.

City have moved to play down Mancini’s remarks about Balotelli after the defeat at Arsenal when he said the Italy international may never play again for the club and that he would look to sell him in the summer. Mancini was responding in the context of Balotelli potentially being suspended for the rest of the season. He could in theory be hit with a nine-game ban if the English FA retrospectively charges him with violent conduct, should the referee’s report note his ugly two-footed challenge on Alex Song in the first half. That would constitute a fourth red card of the season thus earning him a longer ban. The offence was not penalised at the time.

Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, told Sky Sports Italia: “I talked with Balotelli [after the game], the boy was sorry for what happened. Mancini said he will be sold? I’m going to speak directly with Roberto and with the club but I don’t think they will really do it.

“Mario’s intention is to remain in England and he has a contract with City. I understand they may be angry for the title which has eluded them but, I repeat, I don’t think so [he will leave].”

The 21-year-old striker reportedly called the Italy manager, Cesare Prandelli, to apologise after his latest indiscipline for Manchester City but Prandelli apparently wants Balotelli to say sorry in public. If Balotelli does not offer a public apology and start improving his behaviour, Prandelli could leave him out of Italy’s European Championship squad as part of his new code of ethics.

Guardian Service