Mario Balotelli insists injured knee will not stop him from facing Liverpool on Monday

By Colin Young
Updated: 18:58 EDT, 20 August 2010

Manchester City’s Europa League saviour Mario Balotelli says he will be fit to face Liverpool on Monday.

The £23million Italy striker finished his eventful match-winning debut in Romania receiving treatment and when he left Timisoara on Thursday night, his right knee was heavily strapped.

No worries: Mario Balotelli receives treatment on a knee injury on Thursday night - but says he will be fine to face Liverpool on Monday

Balotelli, signed from Inter Milan, was at City’s training ground for treatment yesterday but has vowed to be fit to face Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday.

‘My right leg aches a bit,’ said the 20-year-old. ‘I think it may be a cartilage thing. It was not the result of a tackle, I simply over-extended the knee.

‘It’s a bit of a problem, but I’m sure it will go away fast. I will be available against Liverpool.’

Of his performance on Thursday, Balotelli said: ‘It’s the debut I dreamed of. These are the very first games we are playing together, but we’ll get better and better.’

Even if he is declared fit, City manager Roberto Mancini may still start with Balotelli on the bench.

His new team-mate, Vincent Kompany, says the former Inter star, who scored his first City goal within 15 minutes of his introduction as a sub, will make even more of an impact once the new-look team have had time to bed in.

The Belgium defender said: ‘I’ve only seen him once, but I think the most important thing for him is that he scored a goal and created a couple of chances. I’ve seen good debuts in different fashions, but when you’re a striker it’s always good to get an early goal.’

City’s new £17m full back Aleksandar Kolarov could be out for more than a month with the ankle injury he suffered in last week’s draw at Tottenham, while keeper Shay Given had a scan on a back injury after the game.