Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli clashes with manager Roberto Mancini on training ground

Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini had to be separated by other Manchester City players after the pair clashed in training.

The incident happened towards the end of City's Thursday morning training with watching photographers able to capture the images of the two men clash. Watching photographers reported that Balotelli dived in recklessly on team-mate Scott Sinclair. In the ensuing confrontation Mancini was pictured angrily shouting at his wayward striker and reportedly charged up to remonstrate with him.

(EAMONN & JAMES CLARKE) Mancini was seen trying to continue the incident even after the pair were pulled apart by members of the coaching staff. Balotelli for his part was not seen to fight back and left the training ground minutes after walking off the training pitch.

The training pitch confrontation is the latest, and potentially most serious, incident of Balotelli losing control during training. He has previously been seen fighting with Yaya Toure and Micah Richards. Balotelli's position at the club had already been cast in doubt after Mancini appeared to lose patience with him last month, with the suggestion he may be sold in this transfer window should a buyer be found.