Toure: I’ll save City

Posted Saturday, March 10, 2012 by The Sun

Toure: I’ll save City
KOLO MINT ...Toure says he's in prime condition to help City

KOLO TOURE insists he is ready to solve Manchester City's defensive crisis — and add some vital title-winning know-how to the team.

The league leaders are without skipper Vincent Kompany tomorrow at Swansea, while Joleon Lescott is a doubt with a groin problem.

Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta also missed the midweek trip to Sporting Lisbon with injuries and even City's huge squad is stretched.

Toure was at the African Nations Cup when Kompany was suspended for four matches in January leaving boss Roberto Mancini with a big problem.

But the former Arsenal star is now fit and hopes his experience of lifting trophies with the Gunners will help.

Toure won the Premier League title with Arsenal in 2004 as well as two FA Cups in 2003 and 2005 and two Community Shields.

He said: "We have a big squad and every time the boss needs a player to come in and give his best, we have to do it.

"I can pass on my experience — that's why I'm here. The team needs experience as well as quality and now is the time for me to show it."

Toure missed six months due to a failed drugs test and has been behind Kompany, who currently has a calf problem, and Lescott in the Etihad pecking order ever since.

But the 30-year-old added: "I will give 100 per cent, like I have always done.

"I'm more hungry than ever after the difficult time I had. I just want to play and play well for the team. We have a few players who have been winning big trophies, like Yaya, like David Silva, who has won the World Cup with Spain.

"We have a few players who have won trophies and we just need to transfer that into the City team.

"I think it's a good challenge and we will see if we can do it."

City currently hold a two-point lead over bitter rivals Manchester United and both have 11 matches to play.

Most believe Alex Ferguson's men have the easier run-in and therefore are slight favourites, but Toure believes it is still too close to call.

He said: "We know United are tough because of all the experience and quality they have. To be honest, it's 50-50. We just need to be careful. It's going to be a great end to the season."

Tomorrow's rivals Swansea have been strong at the Liberty Stadium since their promotion and will be no pushovers for the City millionaires.

And Toure says his team must not let the disappointing 1-0 Europa League defeat in Lisbon affect their league form.

He added: "It's going to be like a final for us.

"Every game we play until the end of the season is going to be massive for us.

"We will give our all against Swansea. We know it will be a difficult game — but with the quality and experience we have, we can do a good job there."