Cesare Prandelli: 'Italy return may aid Mario Balotelli'

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has encouraged Mario Balotelli to return to the country of his birth.

The young Italian striker has been widely tipped to leave Manchester City during one of the next two transfer windows, with some reports suggesting that his relationship with manager Roberto Mancini has become untenable.

Recent speculation has linked him with a switch to AC Milan in Serie A and Prandelli believes that such a move could benefit the 22-year-old.

"Returning to Italy could help him. It's important for him to have continuity," he said. "The city or the country is not the problem."

Balotelli joined City in 2010 from Inter Milan.