Manchester City's Roberto Mancini: Mario Balotelli Will Be Fit For Notts County Replay

Italian hesitates to pencil a date for Nigel de Jong's return.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed that he expects to welcome Mario Balotelli back into the squad during the upcoming FA Cup replay against Notts County.

The two sides clash at Eastlands on February 20, with the winner progressing into the fifth round of the tournament where they will entertain Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old Italian striker has been unable to feature yet this year, owing to an injury sustained in December. But he is now nearing a return.

"Mario Balotelli can go on the bench for the next home game against Notts County," Mancini said, according to Sky Sports.

The former Inter boss is, however, yet to learn when midfielder Nigel de Jong will be available again, after the Dutchman suffered an injury in a collision with team-mate Micah Richards.

He said: "I need to speak with the physio [concerning De Jong]."

De Jong, however, made a substitute appearance for Netherlands in an international friendly against Austria.