Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini admits he has spoken to fiery forward Mario Balotelli and asked him to keep his cool during the end of season run-in.
The Italian is set to return from his latest suspension for City's Europa League clash with Porto on Thursday.
Tonight's meeting with the Portuguese champions will see him thrust back into the spotlight, with his temperament still a cause for concern for those inside the Etihad Stadium.
A midweek meeting with Porto will also see Balotelli come face-to-face with Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir, a man who brandished a red card in his direction during a European date with Dynamo Kiev last year.
Mancini is keen to ensure that there are no further indiscretions from the 21-year-old this season and has called on him to be on his best behaviour for the remainder of the campaign.
"I spoke to Mario two weeks ago. I said 'Please, we have 13 games to play in the Premier League plus Europa League matches'," said the City coach.
"I said to him 'Try to have good behaviour on the pitch and think only about football.' Mario is an important player for us, he has good quality.
"I think if his head will be okay in the next two months, he will be an important player for us."
Balotelli's return to action has helped to bolster City's attacking options, with Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero also in contention for a starting berth.
On the firepower available to him, Mancini said: "Now we'll have three strikers. I think that's a good thing for me and for this game. It's difficult to find a good definition for him.
"We know Mario is a fantastic player. He's young, sometimes he will make some mistakes.
"But for this reason if he can keep his composure for the next few months, he will be an important player for us.
"If we want to get to the final of the Europa League or win the Premier League, it's important to have all players.
"We need all the players ready and available for all games. Mario is one of them."
