Mancini admits Dzeko likely to stay at Manchester City

Roberto Mancini has admitted striker Edin Dzeko is likely to stay at Manchester City and compete for a place alongside their other attacking talent.

The forward becmae frustrated with a lack of game time during last season, and has been linked with a move to AC Milan over the summer, while City appeared to be targeting Arsenal’s wantaway forward Robin van Persie.

But manager Roberto Mancini insisted Dzeko would stay at the Etihad, and told reporters: “It’s pretty unlikely he will leave.

“He is right to say it’s no fun being on the bench but when you join a big club then competition is normal.”

The Bosnian started just 16 of his 30 appearances for the club last season, but contributed 14 goals, including a vital late equaliser in City’s title-clinching victory over QPR on the last day of the season.

He scored twice on Sunday in City’s 4-0 victory over Irish side Limerick, in which Dedryck Boyata and Luca Scapuzzi also struck.

Mario Balotelli and David Silva were absent for the match, and reported for pre-season training only last week after an extended holiday following Euro 2012.

Coach David Platt hinted that the pair may need to be eased in to the start of the season, adding: “They are behind the other lads. We don’t know if they will be ready to start games.”

The game was marred by claims a banana was thrown at City defender Gael Clichy, which Irish police are investigating.

Clichy later tweeted: “How sad to see bananas thrown on the pitch, knowing people around the world need food.”

A statement from Limerick read: “The individual will be banned from all future games and the matter will be passed on to the police.”