The Italy international has not started for City since his lacklustre performance in their FA Community Shield defeat to Manchester United last month. Balotelli has since been restricted to just one substitute appearance against Wigan, with fellow strikers Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero firing on all cylinders as first-choice pairing. However, Mancini believes the lack of action has forced the 21-year-old to knuckle down as he bids to rescue his City career, which has so far been marred by off-field controversies. "In the last four weeks he has worked very well," Mancini told The Guardian. "I've been very impressed with his attitude. I'm not sure we can say he has changed in the space of four weeks but he's worked well, even though he hasn't played, and I'm sure he can have a good season." With Dzeko and Aguero each netting six goals from just three Premier League starts, even former club captain Carlos Tevez has struggled for game time at star-studded City. But Mancini has hinted he may use compatriot Balotelli as a winger to support his preferred partnership if there is no room for him up front. "I'm not worried about Mario," he said. "Mario can also play as a winger as well as a striker, so maybe he can have more chances if we play with Agüero, Carlos or Dzeko as our two strikers."
