Balotelli set for Inter return after making apology

Mario Balotelli could be back in the Inter squad for the first time in almost a month when the Serie A leaders take on Bologna at the San Siro today.

The 19-year-old, who has been linked with a move to Milan, reportedly infuriated manager Jose Mourinho by donning a Rossoneri jersey during a television show last month.

Balotelli last played for Inter on March 7, when he started in a goalless draw against Genoa, and has been out of favour ever since.

But on Thursday he issued a statement apologising for the feud and is now expected to feature as Inter look to get back to winning ways in the league.

"I am sorry for the situation that has been created recently," said Balotelli. "I am the first person who has suffered because I adore football and I want to play, and now I am waiting in silence so I can return to being useful to my team.

"I want to put the past behind me, look to the future and concentrate on the upcoming commitments and make myself ready."

Inter have seen their lead at the top of the table cut from nine points to only one following a poor run, which culminated in the 2-1 defeat by title rivals Roma last weekend.

The Nerazzurri are looking for a fifth consecutive league title and are also in the hunt for Champions League and Coppa Italia honours.

Following the 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Mourinho told Inter Channel: "We're top of the table, we're in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, and we have won 1-0 the first match of our Champions League quarter-final.

"We're at the start of April and we can talk of a season that has been absolutely positive, fantastic. We aren't out of anything. But there is still a month and a half to go and everything is still to be won or lost."

Mourinho will be without a number of first-choice players today. Samuel Eto'o, Lucio, Maicon and Javier Zanetti are all suspended while Wesley Sneijder is a doubt with an ankle problem.

Bologna coach Franco Colomba, who agreed a new two-year deal yesterday, is hoping his side can take advantage but feels Inter's troubles have been overstated.

He told www.bolognafc.it: "On paper, of course, it is a very difficult match. They have four banned but the whole situation seems to me somewhat exaggerated.

"When you are challenging for a championship you meet some unavoidable difficulties but we want to put a spanner in the works."

The visitors will be without suspended midfielder Gaby Mudingayi while Antonio Busce and Francesco Modesto are fit but Vangelis Moras again misses out.

Second-placed Roma are expected to have captain Francesco Totti back in their starting line-up at Bari this afternoon after he came on as a late substitute in last week's 2-1 victory over Inter following a knee injury.

But Claudio Ranieri will be unable to field suspended midfielders Simone Perrotta and Jeremy Menez.

Milan, who are three points behind Inter in third, will have Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo back from bans when they seek to end a three-match winless streak at Cagliari.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini is suspended this weekend and Leonardo's injury list still includes centre-back Alessandro Nesta and forward Alexandre Pato.