AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has revealed that he has been forced to put new signing Mario Balotelli on a diet as he is overweight.

The Rossoneri recently snapped Balotelli up from Liverpool on a season-long loan deal, only a year after selling the controversial striker to the English club for a fee of €20m.




Balotelli sat on the bench throughout AC Milan's most recent competitive fixture, against Empoli, but hopes have been high that he could be in line to feature against city rivals Inter after the international break.

But to do that the former Manchester City man must shed some weight, Mihajlovic has revealed.
 

 

"He’s not played for a while and he still has to improve", the AC Milan coach told Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

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"He’s training well and his physical tests are satisfactory, but he’s three kilograms overweight: he’s on a diet and when he’s ready he will play."

Balotelli did turn out in a friendly against Modena yesterday, scoring a neat long-range effort in a 3-2 win; he also provided an assist and was brought down for a penalty.

It remains to be seen however whether the Italian will be fit and ready to lead his side's charge against the Nerazzurri.