Manchester City Will Sell Robinho If He Does Not Train Well - Roberto Mancini

'Mancio' throws down the gauntlet...

By Adithya Ananth

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has challengedRobinho to train harder or risk being sold to another club.

The Brazilian was called into action early on during the recent 2-0 loss to Everton at Goodison Park, as Roque Santa Cruz had to be taken off due to injury. But the diminutive hitman was himself substituted on 51 minutes, adding further to the speculation surrounding his future with the Citizens.

Mancini did little to cover for his player, insisting that the £32.5 million signing must earn his stripes on the training ground if he wishes to continue plying his trade in a Sky Blue jersey.

"All players try to work hard during the week in training and that is the most important thing," Mancini is quoted in the Daily Mail as saying.

"If he wants a future here, then, yes, that is what he has to do.

"I thought Robinho could have been a big player for us here, but sometimes a player is on form and sometimes he is off.

"I wanted to change the situation in the second half and if that means taking him off, then I will. I cannot worry about him, only about the result."