Mancini doesn´t expect Tyneside hostility

Roberto Mancini believes that Manchester City’s visit to Newcastle on Sunday will not be overshadowed by their ill-tempered clash in October.

French winger Hatem Ben Arfa, who joined Newcastle on a season-long loan at the start of the campaign, had his tibia and fibia broken by a horror tackle from Nigel De Jong in the opening minutes of that game at the Eastlands.

The Dutch midfielder went unpunished for the tackle that left Ben Arfa needing surgery and he has failed to shake-off his ‘bad boy’ reputation since. The World Cup finalist was suspended for City’s defeat to Everton on Monday but will return to face Newcastle fans on Boxing Day.

When asked if Alan Pardew’s men would have extra incentive to get a win over the Premier League’s big spenders, Mancini took the opportunity to send Ben Arfa a get well message and De Jong a message of support.

“I don’t think that is connected,” Mancini said. “This is just a football match I was very sorry for Hatem Ben Arfa and I hope he comes back quickly.”

“Nigel De Jong is a very important player for us because he is the only player we have with his characteristics. He is always in front of the defence, helping them and the other players. I think he is very important.”

Mancini will have Mario Balotelli available for the first time since he collected the Golden Boy award for being the best player in Europe under 21 and he has some advice for the surly Italian.

“I think Mario must smile more, to play football is one of the best things you can do,” Mancini said.

“I like the fact that Mario Balotelli is confident in himself, I think he has all the attributes to be one of the best players in the world but he is young and he must improve.”

“Only if you play really well in every game and score in every game can you say you are one of the best players.”

“It’s my opinion that the Premier League is so much different to the Italian league and I think Mario needs to understand the league better.”