Kolarov and Balotelli on way back
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini expects injured duo Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balotelli to be back in action in 10 days’ time.
The pair have played just once for their new club so far this term before being struck down by ankle and knee problems respectively.
It had been suggested they had both suffered setbacks in training that could consign them to further spells on the sidelines.
However, ahead of Sunday’s trip to Blackpool, Mancini has revealed the damage is not too extensive.
“Aleksandar and Mario should be available in 10 days,” he said.
“Aleksander has started to work with the team but has been out for a long time, so we have to be careful.
“Mario is different. He should be able to work with the squad in five days.”
Meanwhile, Mancini has expressed his disappointment about the furore that followed Nigel De Jong's tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa in the recent win over Newcastle.
Ben Arfa suffered a double leg break in the incident, which has been widely condemned and led to De Jong being axed from the Holland squad by coach Bert van Marwijk.
Yet referee Martin Atkinson saw little wrong at the time, and the Football Association have confirmed the Dutch World Cup star will not be subject to retrospective action.
“I am very disappointed with the people who spoke about Nigel De Jong’s tackle,” said Mancini.
“I am sorry for Ben Arfa but these things happen in football.
“It was a normal tackle.”
Mancini does not think there will be any long-term issue with De Jong’s commitment to the Holland cause.
“He was disappointed to be left out but this is normal,” he said.
“But he is a Holland player and has always given 100% for them.
“I think he will try to get back in the Holland team.”
Mancini has also played down talk of a rift with skipper Carlos Tevez.
The pair had an argument at half-time against Newcastle, when City were struggling to find their form.
Although Adam Johnson eventually came off the bench to win the match, it is claimed Tevez is not keen on Mancini’s tactics, with the manager equally unimpressed with his captain making his feelings known.
However, if there was an altercation at the time, it seems the ill feeling has not festered.
“I played football,” he said. “I understand when you are tired you might say something you do not want to say.
“For me it is no problem.”
