MANCHESTER, Jan 3: Mario Balotelli's volatile relationship with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini appeared to escalate on Thursday when they were photographed in an angry altercation during training.

Italian striker Balotelli provoked Mancini when he mistimed a tackle on midfielder Scott Sinclair and the pair tussled as coaches tried to separate them, media reports claimed.

Several British newspapers published pictures on their websites of Mancini shouting at the Italy striker and appearing to grapple with him and of the two men being separated.

An eye-witness, quoted in local newspaper The Manchester Evening News, said: “Mancini ran at him — he was furious. He grabbed hold of him and appeared to try and throw him on the floor.

”It looked like Mario was too strong and he couldn't get him down. Then all the coaches ran in to separate them but Mancini was having none of it. He kept trying to break free and have a go at him again.”

Balotelli, 22, left the training session hastily before driving away from the Carrington complex.

Balotelli last month accepted a club fine of 340,000 pounds ($553,700) for misdemeanours on and off the pitch and Mancini said he was ready to give him another chance and insisted that his compatriot will not be sold in the January transfer window.

The latest incident, though, could revive the uncertainty about Balotelli's future with the Premier League champions.—Agencies