London (CNN) -- Controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will be given another chance after being caught in a heated training ground bust-up with manager Roberto Mancini on Thursday. Photographers outside the English Premier League champions' training ground captured images of the pair grappling, prompting coaching staff to intervene to separate them. Balotelli then walked off the pitch, before leaving the training ground about 10 minutes later. The flamboyant 22-year-old has infuriated his manager on several occasions since being signed from Inter Milan for $39.1 million in 2010. Mancini recently said that the Italy international needed to train harder to make the playing team, and once threatened he may never play for Manchester City again after he was sent off during a defeat at Arsenal.
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Mario Balotelli and Roberto Mancini were embroiled in bust up in training on Thursday
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The Manchester City striker and manager had to be separated by coaching staff
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The scuffle was sparked by Balotelli's hostile challenge on a fellow player
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Mancini downplayed the incident on Friday, saying he would give Balotelli more chances
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