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'Manchester City still on course for Premier League title without me' - Yaya Toure

Posted: Fri, 3rd Feb 2012 by Emmanuel Udeagha

Yaya Toure is confident Manchester City will remain in control of the Premier League title race during his absence, as he continues to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The powerful midfielder is currently in Equatorial Guinea with the Ivory Coast ahead of their quarter-final clash against the host nation, which takes place on Saturday.

On the same day, City will be welcoming Fulham to the Etihad Stadium, with their lead at the top of the table having been cut to just goal difference after their midweek defeat to Everton and Manchester United’s victory over Stoke.

Since Toure - undoubtedly a driving force for Roberto Mancini’s side - has been away, City have also crashed out of both domestic cup competitions, losing to United in the FA Cup and to Liverpool over two legs in the League Cup semi-final.

Despite this, Toure insists the team are not suffering just because he, along with older brother Kolo, is away representing his country.

He told Goal.com: “We have a great team and I know I am certainly not irreplaceable.

“Look at the amount of money the club has spent on talent and still tell me that ‘there is only one Yaya’.

“I do not believe this. Somebody can still play in my place and help us win.

“By the time the African Cup of Nations finishes I hope we will still be on top of the league.”

If Ivory Coast can reach the final of the tournament on February 12, the ex-Barcelona star would not play another league game until the clash with strugglers Blackburn Rovers on February 25.

Toure admits he is finding it frustrating missing such key fixtures and as a result will be determined to get himself back into the side straight away on his return to England.

He added: “Every single player wants to be in the first team, so we all work incredibly hard to be there.

“In fact, I am more worried about regaining my place when I return [than us losing form without me].

“For me, being in Africa is like being injured. I like to imagine that I’ve got an injury that will last four weeks.

“When I think like that, I can concentrate fully on my task with my country and not worry about missing games for my club.”

Toure’s last match before he left Eastlands was on January 3, when he scored in his side’s comprehensive 3-0 league win over Liverpool.