Manchester City assistant manager David Platt has hinted that the Premier League leaders will not appeal Mario Balotelli's four-match ban.

The controversial striker escaped punishment from referee Howard Webb for appearing to kick Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Scott Parker during City's 3-2 win over Spurs on Sunday.

Following the match, the Football Association reviewed tapes of the incident and decided to charge the 21-year-old with violent conduct.

"We are likely to be without a player for four games," said Platt. "We have not sat down as a group to discuss it.

"But I don't think anybody thought we would win an appeal with Vincent Kompany, even though the majority of people didn't feel he deserved a red card or a four-match ban. It shows the futility of an appeal sometimes. This looks poor when you slow it down."

City have until 6pm on Wednesday to appeal the suspension.

Written by
Danielle Joynson