Manchester City coach David Platt says they're likely to accept Mario Balotelli's four-match ban.

Whilst City do have grievances over the manner in which Balotelli's alleged stamp on Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker has been dealt with, Platt accepted the slow-motion pictures "do not look good".

"We are likely to be without a player for four games," said Platt.

Platt confirmed he had been asked to address the media by Roberto Mancini in an effort to avoid the Italian's difficulty with the nuances of the English language further fuelling an already delicate situation.

"He spoke to me...and asked me to do it," said Platt.

"A lot of words needed saying and we are in a cauldron where a half phrase can become bigger.

"Whatever I say can get topped and tailed and, in some quarters, won't be reported in the manner I have said it, and I am not talking about the people who are here, but those who are not."