Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is unlikely to select Joe Hart when his side take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup final this Saturday.

The England international has been omitted from Mancini's starting XI in all of his side's FA Cup and Capital One Cup outings this season, with the Italian coach opting for Romanian international Costel Pantilimon between the sticks.

Mancini has indicated that he has no plans to bring Hart back into the frame for Saturday's final at Wembley, insisting that Pantilimon is well deserving of his opportunity to continue his run.

Costel Pantilimon
Pantilimon is likely to start against Wigan this Saturday. (Reuters)

The City boss was asked if he would be selecting the England number one for the final, to which he responded, "I don't think so, we decided at the start of the season. Pantilimon deserves to play," the Manchester Evening News report.

"Joe won the FA Cup two years ago, he won the Premier League last year, he is the best keeper in England and I think he should be happy his second keeper can play in a big game.

"I know he wants to play but we decided at the start of the season it was important for Pantilimon to play in the two cups."

Mancini was also quizzed on his former striker Mario Balotelli following a dour 0-0 draw with Swansea at the weekend, a result which epitomised his side's lack of a ruthless streak in front of goal.

After scoring just three goals in the first half of the season as a City player, a return to the San Siro revitalised the 22-year-old Balotelli, who hasn't been able to stop scoring since with nine Serie A goals to his name since his move.

But while his side have struggled to find the net with the lethal consistency exhibited last season, Mancini doesn't believe the decision to offload the controversial Italian has played a part in their lack of goals.

"For Mario it was better to go back to Italy and even with Mario I think the season would have been the same, Mancini added.

"It is difficult to consider why you don't score enough goals. Last year we scored 20 goals more than this season and we are missing them, it is too many."