Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli appears to have been involved in a training ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini.

A picture agency has released photographs it says were taken on Thursday morning of the pair having to be separated by staff and team-mates at Carrington training ground.

City have declined to comment.

Mancini is expected to answer questions about the incident at his news conference on Friday morning.

The pictures appear to show Mancini shouting and gesticulating towards Balotelli.

Push and pull: Mancini and Balotelli raged at each other

Back inside: Mancini stomps off furiously

One photograph shows the pair face to face with Mancini pulling Balotelli’s training bib, while in another, the striker appears to be pulled away by a member of staff.

The 22-year-old Italian striker was then seen being restrained and led away by a member of staff, believed to be Massimo Battara, in shocking scenes as City prepared their FA Cup third round clash with Watford.

Mancini reacted furiously following a tackle from Balotelli on a team-mate said to be Scott Sinclair, once again putting the Italian’s future at the club in doubt.

One onlooker told Sky Sports News: ‘Mancini ran at him – he was furious,’ said the onlooker. ‘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.’

After the incident, Balotelli drove off in his camouflage Bentley GT. He has a history of irritating his manager, leading to much speculation he will be sold.