Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted that controversial striker Mario Balotelli will not be sold in the January transfer window.

Rumours of a possible exit from the Etihad Stadium for the Italy international emerged in recent weeks after he was excluded from the first-team squad on a number of occasions.

Despite his previous snubs, Balotelli was included in last night's clash against Wigan Athletic and inspired his side to a 2-0 victory.

"No, no, we are not looking to sell Mario," Mancini told The Mirror. "I'm very happy for him because he scored his first goal this season, and I hope he can improve on this.

"He's one of the four strikers, and it's clear they have had some difficulty to score lots of goals like last year, but if we keep working hard we can change that."

City currently sit second in the Premier League table, one point adrift of Manchester United.