Italy coach Cesare Prandelli warned Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli to keep his temper in leash if he wishes to remain part of the Euro 2012 squad.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli left out the volatile 21-year-old from the team squad that will play against USA on Wednesday in a bid to send a message that he hopes Balotelli will take heed of.

Balotelli has been noted by commentators as a player who is easily provoked and he earns a high number of yellow cards for an attacking player. He has earned 3 yellow cards and was sent off against Liverpool in November last year.

In that match, Balotelli came on as a substitue and within 18 minutes he managed to earn two cautions and was promptly given his marching orders in the 83rd minute.

The former Inter Milan player was also found to have been guilty of stamping on Tottenham's Scott Parker in January and was subsequently suspended for four games. He missed City's Carling Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool which led to the Mancunian club's elimination from the tournament.

The former Fiorentina boss gave a frank assessment of his decision telling reporters: "I don't want players who commit reaction fouls and get sent off."

"He seems a little agitated to me.

"When I say we have to reach the European Championships prepared, I mean I don't want to see players who, at the first sign of difficulty, commit reaction fouls and get sent off, leaving their team-mates to struggle with 10 men."

Prandelli stopped short of suggesting a long-term exile for the City striker and will reconsider his decision in the coming months based on Balotelli's behaviour.

"We still have some months to think about it," he said.

Prandelli emphasised the importance of good discipline within the Italy squad by commenting further on Roma coach Luis Enrique's decision of dropping Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi for Sunday's clash with Atalanta for allegedly turning up late for a technical meeting.

"I'm with him all the way," the Azzurri boss said.

"We should be with all those who apply the rules.

"It 's just absurd that we should be even discussing it. It's clear that Daniele is very sorry, but I'm sure that for the next five years the guys at Roma will arrive on time!"

Italy have been drawn in the same group as Spain, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland for Euro 2012. They play Jurgen Klinsmann's men in the friendly at Genoa with Roma striker Fabio Borini set to earn his first international cap.