• Premier League

Man City calm fears of Balotelli layoff

ESPN staff
September 1, 2012
Mario Balotelli was tipped to be out for around a month © Getty Images
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Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is due to undergo an eye operation in the coming days but is expected to make a quick return.

Reports emerged in the morning papers that Balotelli faces a month on the sidelines in order to have laser treatment to correct short sightedness. He will head to Brescia for the surgery.

A month-long absence would have meant Balotelli missing key games against Stoke, Arsenal, Fulham and Sunderland, as well as Champions League ties with Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

However, after he was left on the bench for Saturday's 3-1 victory at home to Queens Park Rangers, first-team coach David Platt said that the Italian would be sidelined only briefly, revealing he has been troubled by the issue for some time.

"Mario will have an operation in a few days' time," Platt said. "It's not a major procedure and he should be back quite quickly.

"I've heard suggestions he will be out for a month but that's not true and I'm not sure where that came from. Hopefully it will correct a problem he's been having for some time and he can move on from there."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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