Mancini 'exhausted' as he shuttles to Italy to care for sick dad (report)

Roberto Mancini has spent precious time between vital Premier League games travelling back and forth to Italy to care for his sick father.

Manchester City boss Mancini has run himself ragged visiting dad Aldo, who has reportedly taken a turn for the worse this year, after making a full recovery from a heart attack in 2010.

Mancini is reportedly believed to have kept his concerns from his players but has shared details of his troubles, with assistants David Platt and Brian Kidd, and backroom staff Attilio Lombardo, Fausto Salsano and Ivan Carminati.

Mancini has made use of a private jet to return to Italy and an inside source told Goal.com: "City have given Roberto fantastic support and they have complete understanding of his situation. In the last few weeks he has been backwards and forwards to Italy to be at the bedside of his father."

The source added: "Roberto is trying to be a father to Mario Balotelli and at the same time be a son to his own father.

"It is all quite a strain on him and a remarkable testimony of his professionalism and desire to win the title that he is handling it so well and even continuing to go on scouting missions for new players.

"It also explains his reluctance to get involved in mind games with [Sir Alex] Ferguson. He is simply too exhausted."