Mario Balotelli found himself at the centre of yet another training ground confrontation with a Manchester City team-mate following a spat with Micah Richards.

According to the Guardian, the two players clashed yesterday towards the end of a practice match in preparation for the Premier League leaders’ game against Arsenal on Sunday.

Witnesses reported words were exchanged before the two players squared up.

Afterwards England defender Richards played down the flare-up with Italian striker Balotelli, telling his Twitter followers: “Me & mario are all good! these things happen in training & we shook hands after. It shows passion!”

This is not the first time Balotelli has found himself making unwanted headlines as a result of training ground confrontations this year.

Balotelli lashed out at Jerome Boateng after reacting badly to a challenge and was also photographed clashing with Vincent Kompany in May.

City have repeatedly insisted Roberto Mancini’s expensively assembled squad is not especially volatile, it’s just that photographers can get easier access at their Carrington training ground because of a public footpath that runs by the side of the pitches.