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Toure: Man City trying to get rid of me

Kolo Toure has made one league start this season © PA Photos

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Kolo Toure has vowed to stay at Manchester City and fight for his place but told the BBC that the club are trying to force him out.

Toure, 31, has made one league start this season and is now the fifth-choice central defender at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Arsenal player was appointed City captain by former boss Mark Hughes after he was signed for £14 million in 2009. But since Toure served a six-month suspension after taking a slimming pill that contained a banned substance, Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott have been the regular central-defensive partnership.

Summer signing Matija Nastasic has also moved ahead of the Ivorian in the queue for places while Micah Richards was chosen instead of him for the 3-0 win against Sunderland.

Toure was not named in City's squad for the Champions League but said he remains keen to continue his career at the club, where he plays alongside younger brother Yaya.

"I want to stay, I want to fight for my place," he told BBC Sport. "It's difficult, I was a key player. I've done everything but that will not change the manager's decision.

"I like City and this season I started every game pre-season. But when the season started I've been kicked out again from the team. I fight. My team-mates know, my brother knows. I do my best but the club are showing me the way out at the moment.

"I'm not angry with the manager. If someone doesn't want me then there will be another club that does. I still have this hunger. I take [the veterans] Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes as an example. What they are doing for Manchester United is incredible. I want to be like them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.