Roberto Mancini has said that Manchester City still cannot trust Mario Balotelli following the Italian's dismissal at Liverpool last Sunday.

Balotelli picked up two bookings within 20 minutes of being brought on in place of Samir Nasri at Anfield, resulting in his third red card since arriving at the club less than two seasons ago.

Mancini, who was once a striker himself, insists that there is no reason for a forward to pick up that number of cards.

"It's important Mario understands that we need him as a player on the pitch," he said. "I've told you many times that Mario has improved, but he can still do these things at any moment.

"A defender can always make a mistake and get a yellow card. But Mario is a striker and gets too many yellow cards.

"I played for 20 years and I only had one red card and was booked three times, but Mario has had three since he joined us."

The Citizens will be without their suspended striker when Norwich travel to the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.