Mancini: ‘Toure is staying put’

Roberto Mancini has insisted Yaya
Toure is happy at Manchester City
despite speculation surrounding the
midfielder that he may want a move
away from the Etihad Stadium.
Reports suggested in midweek that
the former Barcelona man was
hungry for another challenge having
won the English Premier League and
FA Cup with the Blues.
Interest would be high across Europe
for a player regarded as one of City's
finest.
However, Mancini has insisted Toure
is happy at City and is delighted he
wants more challenges as there are
plenty to be had at the club every day.
Motivation
The Italian manager believes Toure
should use the chase for European
Champions League glory with the
Premier League champions to spur
him on.
Mancini also believes that defending
the Premier League title is another
huge challenge in itself that Toure can
chase if he is feeling the need for
more tests.
"Every day we have a new challenge
here because in two years we won the
Cup, Premier League and the Charity
Shield, now we need to win the other
cup," said Mancini.
"In the Premier League, we need to
work more for this and this challenge
(of defending it).
"I am happy that Yaya wants a new
challenge, I want a new challenge, I
want to win the next game, I want to
win the Champions League. I have no
concerns."
Mancini's side face West Brom on
Saturday and he insisted his players
will wear the "Let's Kick It Out" racism
t-shirts despite some pleas for black
players to avoid wearing them after
recent cases.
"We are all against all forms of
racism," said Mancini.
"The world is different, there are
some people different from us. We
need to work together to improve this
situations. Yes they will (wear the t-
shirts).
"I think we can do more what we do
in this moment but sometimes stupid
things happen, when you're on the
pitch you say things you don't think."
Tough break
Mancini will be focused on the game,
however, and is hoping the
international break does not scupper
his side's return to form.
City won their last game before the
break with a convincing victory against
Sunderland but the Italian manager
admits it can be tough to come back
after the break.
The postponement of England's game
with Poland in Warsaw from Tuesday
to Wednesday has also hindered
some players while David Silva picked
up a hamstring injury playing for
Spain.
He said: "When we come after the
international break, the game is very
difficult. Today is the first day we can
work together.
"We have a lot of injury problems,
David has a hamstring problem and
will not be ready for tomorrow.
English players who played on
Wednesday are tired.
"We hope that maybe the next league
game against Swansea, David will be
ready. The England players are not a
worry but because they played on
Wednesday they are tired. I am not
worried, they have another day to
recover. That is a situation that can
happen."