Kolo still has big part to play

Last updated : 23 March 2010 By Ed

The £14million summer signing from Arsenal has missed a number of games for City having been on international duty with the Ivory Coast at the beginning of the year and then sustaining a knee injury.

Since returning from injury, however, he has failed to command a regular first team place such has been the good form of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott at the centre of the City defence.

However, City boss Mancini believes Toure still has a part to play in trying to help City gain a Champions League spot this season.

"Kolo was out of the team initially because he had a [knee] problem for two weeks," Mancini said.

"He is OK now and still very important for us. We still have a lot of games left and we will need all the players to be 100%."

"When I arrived [at the club] I played with Kolo alongside Vincent because Joleon was injured and in every game we had a clean sheet."