Mario Balotelli thrown shock career lifeline after three months unemployed after nasty injury to Serie A side’s captain

MARIO BALOTELLI is set to be thrown a career lifeline by Torino, according to reports.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker has been a free agent for three months.

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Italy international Balotelli ended his second spell with Turks Adana Demirspor, and has yet to find a new club.

But Torino's captain and striker Duvan Zapata suffered a serious knee injury at the weekend that could sideline him for months.

And the Turin club is now reportedly set to offer 34-year-old Balotelli a deal as temporary cover for the Colombian.

Torino would become the 12th different club of his career, having previously played in Serie A for Inter, AC Milan, Brescia and Monza.

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Capped 36 times, Balotelli has been linked with clubs in Brazil, India and Spain since returning home from Turkey.

But he has chosen to bide his time, recently stating his intent to play in Italy once more.

The frontman has trained by himself in Brescia to keep up his fitness.

Torino, currently seventh in Serie A, could now come to the former City madcap's rescue.

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Managed by Paolo Vanoli, their squad includes Scotland's ex-Southampton striker Che Adams.

They lost 3-2 at Inter on Saturday, with Zapata scoring before going off injured late in the game.