Christian Abbiati says Balotelli 'really wants to play' against Inter

Latest selfie shows him grinning with Philippe Mexès and M'Baye Niang

Mario Balotelli has been grinning like a Cheshire cat ahead of the heavily anticipated Milan derby against his former club on Sunday.

The Liverpool flop is hoping to make his first appearance since returning to the Rossoneri on a season-long loan and snapped himself showing off his pearly whites with French team-mates Philippe Mexès and M'Baye Niang in an Instagram selfie.

The picture, which the Italian international captioned with a French phrase roughly translated as 'smiles us brothers', suggests the sulky striker could be enjoying himself again ahead of the crunch meeting with his old club Inter Milan in two days time.

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Mario Balotelli was sporting a massive grin with Philippe Mexès and M'Baye Niang in his Instagram post

Balotelli kisses the AC Milan badge ahead of his potential first team return in the derby against Inter Milan

The former Man City man even posted a picture of himself kissing the Milan crest earlier the week, which will no doubt rile the Inter fans.

The 25-year-old badboy fell out of favour with boss Brendan Rogers at Liverpool, partly over his training ground antics and attitude.

And Milan manager Siniša Mihajlović criticised Balotelli over his fitness following a reserve game last week.

Balotelli was a flop at Liverpool but 'really wants to face Inter' according to goalkeeper Christian Abbiati

However, Milan goalkeeper and fellow Italian international Christian Abbiati has said the striker is on the right track and 'really wants to play' in the derby.

'Balo is a great guy, he just has to follow the few rules we have in the dressing room,' Abbiati told Gazzetta World.

'If he has made mistakes, they have all happened off the field.