Roberto Mancini has no plans to sell Kolo Toure in January after insisting he has no problem with the Manchester City defender.
City boss unconcerned by defender's comments about his situation
Roberto Mancini has no plans to sell Kolo Toure in the January transfer window after insisting he has no problem with the Manchester City defender.
Toure has recently hinted he could leave City in the New Year for ambitious French side Paris St Germain after struggling to establish himself in the team since returning from a six-month ban for failing a drugs test.
He has started only one Premier League game this season and the Ivory Coast international has been quoted in a French magazine claiming he feels he is being victimised for participating in the African Cup of Nations (ANC) two years ago.
However, while the 30-year-old is again likely to be involved in the African Cup of Nations next month, Toure is part of Mancini's plans for the rest of this season.
Good guy
"In this moment, no," said Mancini regarding the prospect of selling Toure. "Kolo is part of our plans for this year.
"Kolo is a good player, a good guy and if he plays or not - because we have a lot of good players - he is part of our plans.
"Kolo is important for us because he is experienced. In the summer he told me he wants to leave because he wants to play.
"I have respect for him and we can talk about this, but not now."
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's crucial Champions League tie against Bayern Munich, the City manager is also unconcerned by Toure's reported comments regarding his situation at the Etihad Stadium.
Mancini added: "I spoke about this with Kolo. He told me he didn't say anything about this.
"Kolo and I do not have any problem. He explained this to me and for me it is finished. It is okay now."
When asked if he believed Toure, Mancini said: "Yes I did, I believe him.
"I did not read the article so I don't know what Kolo said, I can say only (on Monday) at training he told me about this interview."
