Manchester City players have told manager Roberto Mancini not to select Mario Balotelli for next week's derby against Manchester United.

Balotelli is serving a three-match ban for his red card at Arsenal but will be available again for the United visit on April 30. But Mancini's players reckon Balotelli is a liability and could do something stupid that would hand the title to United.

A source told the Daily Star: "He is never going to be a team player.

"His team-mates are genuinely concerned about the Manchester derby, not because of the damage United can do but the damage Balotelli can do if he repeats the antics we saw at Arsenal.

"Everyone has been more comfortable in his absence."