Yaya Toure confident Manchester City can catch Manchester United in the Premier League
Champions currently trail rivals by nine points
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City talisman Yaya Toure is confident the champions can pull themselves back into the Barclays Premier League title race.
Toure and his brother Kolo, the defender, are now back at City after a month away playing in the African Nations Cup with Ivory Coast.
Roberto Mancini's men have been unbeaten in their absence but draws in the last two fixtures against QPR and Liverpool have seen them slip nine points behind Manchester United at the top of the table.
After memorably recovering from an eight-point deficit to win the title last season with six matches remaining, Toure is sure there is enough time for City to turn it round again with 13 still to play.
The midfielder told the club's website, http://www.mcfc.co.uk: "We are further behind than we'd like, of course, but all we need to do is think about last season to know what is possible.
"My friends are all here and are happy to see me and we are like a family or brothers who will all fight together - and that is a very important thing to have.
"United have a strong squad and, on paper, they have an easier run in than we do but the title race is a long way from finished.
"It only takes a couple of results to go our way and we're right back in it - I'm sure we'll come back."
City travel to Southampton on Saturday hoping to cut the gap to seven points ahead of United's clash with Everton on Sunday.
The return of the Toures gives City a timely lift in two areas of the field.
Yaya's dynamism in midfield has been missed, particularly in the past week, while Kolo will increase defensive options.
City have been short at the back with influential captain Vincent Kompany having missed the past two games with a calf strain.
Kompany has not definitively been ruled out of the trip to St Mary's Stadium but Mancini has said it is likely the Belgian will be out until after next week's FA Cup fifth-round clash against Leeds.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments