• Premier League

'Dutiful' Yaya Toure issues title warning to Manchester City

Yaya Toure says he is ready to return to Manchester City and "do his duty" but has warned team-mates there is no more room for error in the title race.

The midfielder was due back with the club this week after helping the Ivory Coast to win the African Cup of Nations in Equatorial New Guinea on Sunday.

Toure, who scored from the spot in the 9-8 penalty-shootout win against Ghana after the match ended goal-less, has been greatly missed at City, who were held by Hull on Saturday and trail leaders Chelsea by seven points.

"We have 38 games and if we want to achieve it [retaining the title] we have to win all the games. I know it is difficult but now I have to go back and do my duty again."

Despite Toure's eagerness to make up for lost time, Manuel Pellegrini has apparently ruled out the possibility of him and new signing Wilfried Bony, who was also on international duty with the Ivory Coast, playing at Stoke on Wednesday.

"No, I don't think it's possible," the City manager said, when asked about the Ivorians being rushed back into the team. "They played on Sunday, so it's not easy for them to just come, arrive and play so many games in just a few days."

The thinking of Pellegrini, who has refused to blame the absence of Toure for his side's downturn, may please Bony, who said he wanted to enjoy his country's victory "and think about nothing else for the rest of the week, then continue with our teams".

However, Toure appeared to be returning to England with a point to prove. "When I was in Manchester people were criticizing me, about a lot of things," he said.

"I want you to understand, sometimes when you say the truth about football, people don't listen. Especially you guys from the newspaper. You have to be objective and you have to say the true things."

"But I think my job is to try and do my best. I will sometimes get a little bit upset with some comments, from people who sit in front of the TV, and try and say like they understand football more."

Yaya Toure was not expected back at Manchester City before Tuesday © Getty Images

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