Super Mario in line for starters’ shirt against Udinese

There might be some ray of light at the end of the tunnel for controversial AC Milan striker, Mario Balotelli whose approach to the tactical plans of coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has impressed the gaffer since he made a return to the club on loan for  Liverpool.

Mihajlovic, a former Inter Milan star might likely hand a starters’ berth to the Italian international in the club’s next Serie A match against Udinese on Tuesday.

Balotelli’s first appearance after making the season-long loan switch came in the derby with Inter – a game Milan lost 1-0 – and he played the final 20 minutes of Saturday’s 3-2 win over Palermo.

“I knew Balotelli when he was 17 [at Inter], and I’m back with him at 25, I don’t know how he behaved in the meantime,” said the Serbian coach.

“Now he’s behaving in an exemplary way. I always try to encourage him to train at his best.

“Could he start tomorrow (Tuesday)? I’ve still not decided, let’s see how the lads are tomorrow morning, and who has the right feeling to play.”

Whoever earns a starting spot will be expected to produce an attacking display at Stadio Friuli, with Mihajlovic keen to take advantage of Udinese’s early season struggles.

The 25-year-old striker returned to AC Milan on loan a year after leaving the San Siro in a last-minute £16million deal which Reds boss Brendan Rodgers admitted at the time was a “calculated risk”.

It failed spectacularly, with the former Manchester City attacker scoring just four goals in 28 appearances and only one of those coming in the Premier League.

Balotelli was criticised for his attitude and lack of work-rate but he said Rodgers’ tactics made it difficult for him to thrive at Anfield.