Yaya Toure has made a final plea to Ivory Coast to let him delay his departure for the African Nations Cup.
The Manchester City midfielder must report for training with the Elephants on 11 January. But with Premier League leaders City facing a hectic start to the New Year, Toure wants to fly out a week late.
Toure is desperate to play in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool on 11 January, as well as the league trip to Wigan five days later. City have asked the Ivorians coach Francois Zahoui to soften his stance and the former Barcelona man is on their side in the club v country dispute.
Yaya – whose brother and team-mate Kolo Toure is also involved in the tournament in Gabon and Guinea – said: “We’re due to start training with the national team on the 11th. “The problem is in this country we don’t stop while around Europe they have a break. Here, in December and January you are playing every three days.
“So maybe I can go on the 16th or 17th. The competition does not start till the 21st.”
Toure could be away until 12 February, meaning he may miss vital games in three competitions for his club. He added: “If we go to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations I think I will miss four or five games for City,” the 28-year-old stated.
“I have total confidence in my friends here. We have Nigel de Jong, James Milner, Samir Nasri and Gareth Barry who can all play that position and do a fantastic job.
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