Roberto Mancini and Mario Balotelli pulled apart in training ground bust-up Manchester City's FA Cup preparations have been thrown into turmoil by yet another training ground bust-up involving Mario Balotelli. The Italy striker had to be separated from Blues boss Roberto Mancini, who reacted after Balotelli caught Scott Sinclair with a late challenge. Although officials have attempted to play down the incident, which two sources have said was a "storm in a teacup," pictures indicate a clash of tempers, with Mancini appearing particularly animated and angry. Members of the City coaching team dragged Balotelli away from his boss, who was shown to be pointing at the forward following the initial tackle. Mancini is also seen grabbing Balotelli's orange bib as he made his feelings known, even though the younger man towers over the former Italy international. City refused to comment this afternoon, yet again citing the public access around their training ground as the reason why what they regard as a relatively minor incident should cause such a stir. However, Mancini is due to speak with the media tomorrow morning ahead of the third-round tie with Watford, which Sergio Aguero seems certain to miss with the hamstring injury he suffered in the New Year's Day win over Stoke. This weekend's game is certain to be overshadowed by Balotelli's latest scrape, which places further question marks over his City future. For, while it is not the first furious argument Balotelli and Mancini have had - the pair have exchanged words both on the training ground and in matches - it does come in a period when the City manager's faith in the striker is beginning to wane. Even last season, when Balotelli's dismissal at Arsenal in April led to Mancini declaring he might never play for the club again, there was always a thought he would eventually come good. After providing the pass for Aguero's last-gasp title-winning goal against QPR the following month, Balotelli went on to enjoy a superb Euro 2012, in which his performance during Italy's semi-final win over Germany in Warsaw was widely accepted as one of the best individual displays of the tournament. Yet a lacklustre performance in the final has been followed by some inept contributions for City. He has scored only two Premier League goals this season and was singled out by Mancini for some pointed comments after another dismal performance against Manchester United last month when he was surprisingly preferred to Carlos Tevez, but was replaced early in the ­second half. After the 3-2 defeat, Mancini warned Balotelli he risked wasting his considerable talent by failing to devote enough time to his career. The former Inter Milan frontman has not played since, partly due to Mancini's own selection decisions, but also a slight virus. With Aguero facing a short spell on the sidelines, Mancini could have done with a positive contribution from Balotelli. However, while City have previously stated they will not sell the 22-year-old during the present transfer window, ­yesterday's development may well make the Blues think again should any club lodge a substantial enough bid. Just days after signing for City, Balotelli hits the headlines after crashing his Audi R8 en route to the club's training round. Balotelli is found to be carrying £5,000 in cash at the time of the accident and when police ask why, he reportedly replies: "Because I am rich." Balotelli scores his first Premier League goals in a 2-0 win at West Brom but the achievement is marred when he sees red following a clash with Youssouf Mulumbu. City boss Roberto Mancini says Balotelli must change his attitude following his claims he had never heard of Jack Wilshere after beating the Arsenal midfielder to FIFA's Young Player of the Year award. Balotelli again hits trouble after it emerges he threw a dart at a City youth team player. Balotelli apologises to his team-mates after he is sent off during a Europa League tie with Dynamo Kiev. Balotelli is immediately substituted by an enraged Mancini after performing a pirouette and back-heeling wide when clean through on goal in a pre-season friendly against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Italian has another run-in with the emergency services after a firework is set off in the bathroom of his home, triggering a fire. The next day, he scores in the Manchester derby and celebrates by revealing a T-shirt which reads: "Why always me?" Dismissed for two yellow cards in league match against Liverpool. Balotelli breaks a club 48-hour curfew by visiting a curry house ahead of a match against Chelsea. Just days after Balotelli's curfew lapse, he again attracts negative headlines after pictures emerge of a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Micah Richards. Charged with violent conduct by the FA, and subsequently handed a four-match ban, after appearing to stamp on the head of Tottenham's Scott Parker. April 2012 Balotelli sees red for two bookable challenges on Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna. Also guilty of a shocking first half knee-high challenge on Gunners midfielder Alex Song. Balotelli clashes with Mancini during training with the pair pulled apart by coaches.