The 19-year-old, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan, reportedly infuriated manager Jose Mourinho by donning a Rossoneri jersey during a television show last month.

Balotelli last played for Inter on March 7, when he started in a goalless draw against Genoa, and has been out of favour ever since.

But yesterday he issued a statement apologising for the feud and is now expected to feature as Inter look to get back to winning ways in the league.

"I am sorry for the situation that has been created recently," said Balotelli. "I am the first person who has suffered because I adore football and I want to play, and now I am waiting in silence so I can return to being useful to my team.

"I want to put the past behind me, look to the future and concentrate on the upcoming commitments and make myself ready."

Inter have seen their lead at the top of the table cut from nine points to only one following a poor run, which culminated in the 2-1 defeat by title rivals Roma last weekend.

The Nerazzurri are looking for a fifth consecutive league title and are also in the hunt for Champions League and Coppa Italia honours.

Following the 1-0 victory over CSKA Moscow in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Mourinho told Inter Channel: "We're top of the table, we're in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, and we have won 1-0 the first match of our Champions League quarter-final.

"We're at the start of April and we can talk of a season that has been absolutely positive, fantastic. We aren't out of anything. But there is still a month and a half to go and everything is still to be won or lost."

Mourinho cast further doubt on his future at the San Siro before the CSKA clash by declaring: "I am very happy at Inter but not in Italian football."

That added to speculation he could quit Inter in the summer to return to England, but president Massimo Moratti is confident the Portuguese will stay.

"He's been saying that he misses England since the first day," Moratti told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But he has a contract with Inter for two more years and maybe even longer.

"Everyone makes their own choices but I'm not scared and I don't fear his nostalgia."

Mourinho will be without a number of first-choice players this weekend. Samuel Eto'o, Lucio, Maicon and Javier Zanetti are all suspended while Wesley Sneijder is a doubt with an ankle problem.

Bologna coach Franco Colomba, who agreed a new two-year deal today, is hoping his side can take advantage but feels Inter's troubles have been overstated.

He told www.bolognafc.it: "On paper, of course, it is a very difficult match. They have four banned but the whole situation seems to me somewhat exaggerated.

"When you are challenging for a championship you meet some unavoidable difficulties but we want to put a spanner in the works."

The visitors will be without suspended midfielder Gaby Mudingayi while Antonio Busce and Francesco Modesto are fit but Vangelis Moras again misses out.