Another City star tests Mancini's patience

Just when it seems all hell has broken loose at Manchester City, boss Roberto Mancini has revealed it is not only Mario Balotelli whose woeful and abject display proved costly during the 1-0 reverse against Arsenal but also there is another player in his squad he’s growing tired of, and that is Adam Johnson.

Balotelli, never far from controversy, whose City career has been defined by namely off-the-field antics as well as questionable on-the-field mishaps could have put the final nail in his Citizens coffin after his dismissal at the Emirates on Sunday, but Johnson could also be joining Balotelli by heading for the Ethiad exit door a swell.

Mancini who cut a frustrated figure during the post match interview after seeing his side fall to eight points behind league leaders and rivals Manchester United with just six games remaining, has signaled Johnson isn’t doing enough to warrant a starting place in the side and could move on to pastures new.

'With Mario it's difficult. Bad or good behaviour, it's Mario, [but] Mario is different from Adam Johnson. Mancini told the Metro.

'I'm not arguing with Adam because also Adam has a good talent, but also it's important he puts this on the pitch, this talent. Sometime he doesn't do this.'

Johnson, an England international who has spent most of his City career thus far warming the bench , now looks an outsider to make the Euro 2012 squad in Poland and the Ukraine in the Summer.

However a return to his native north-east in the summer may look a more likely return with Sunderland said to be interested in the 24-year old  who City paid £7m for during the January transfer window in 2010.

Martin O’Neil is said to be keeping tabs on the situation and a summer bid apparently beckons from the Black Cats.

@simonblaquiere1

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