Roberto Mancini: 'Mario Balotelli must improve'

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted that he hopes that striker Mario Balotelli can help his side to trophies before the end of the season.

The Italian forward has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium but Mancini admits that he hopes that the 22-year-old remains at the club to prove his "quality" in the final few months of the season.

Mancini told reporters: "First of all, Mario should work well and try to get his place in the team.

"At the moment he doesn't have that, for many reasons. I hope he can help us to win some trophies because he has quality. Until today, his performances were so-so.

"But at the same time he can improve. Maybe in the next four months we could have crucial games for Premier League and the FA Cup. I hope Mario can help the team to win games."

Balotelli has scored just four goals for Manchester City this season.