AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has said that Mario Balotelli still needs to improve his fitness despite the striker's impressive display on his return to San Siro on Thursday.

Back at Milan on a season-long loan from Liverpool, Balotelli scored a long-range opener, set up another goal and won a penalty as the Rossoneri beat fourth division side Modena 3-2 in a friendly on Thursday.

However, despite Milan vice-president Adrian Galliani praising the striker's attitude since his return to Italy, Mihajlovic insists that the Italian's performance does not mean that he is ready to play 90 minutes regularly in Serie A.

"He has not played for a while and he still has to improve," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"He is training well and his physical tests are satisfactory, but he is three kilograms overweight; he is on a diet and when he is ready he will play."

Milan face city rivals Inter in their first match after the international break.