We don't need a Balotelli replacement right now: Mancini

London: Roberto Mancini will be hoping the decision to offload Mario Balotelli doesn't backfire with Manchester City's striking options now curtailed.

Selling the troublesome Balotelli to AC Milan leaves Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko as the only experienced strikers in the squad after no replacement was signed before the January transfer window closed.

Mancini says "it was difficult to take another good player ... we have three strikers. We have only Premier League and FA Cup, I think that could be enough (strikers)."

\"It was difficult to take another good player ... we have three strikers. We have only Premier League and FA Cup, I think that could be enough (strikers),\" the City manager said.

But their failure to find the net in a 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday allowed Manchester United to move seven points ahead of City in the Premier League title race.

City host Liverpool on Sunday.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)