Pep Guardiola has accepted an apology from Yaya Toure but the midfielder
still faces a fight to get back into the Manchester City team.
Toure,
33, issued a statement on Friday saying sorry for "misunderstandings"
after he was frozen out of the squad following statements made by his agent
Dimitri Seluk.
Guardiola
told a news conference ahead of City's game with Middlesbrough on Saturday that
he had spoken to Toure privately about the issue.
"I
have spoken with Yaya today," the City boss said. "Of course, it was
a private conversation. I know what happened, what he said, of course.
"It's
good news for Manchester City that's the most important thing and for Yaya,
whom I appreciate. I have known him from a long time ago."
He
will now be considered for the first team but is behind fellow midfielders
Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho, Fernando and Aleix Garcia in the pecking order
after being left out of Guardiola's Champions League squad, which sparked the
row with Seluk.
Guardiola
added: "Yaya is in all our meetings and all our training sessions. You
know the situation, nothing has changed.
"I
answer about Yaya, I do not answer anymore. I spoke with him, that's good,
that's all. Now I'm focused on Middlesbrough and you know the situation."
Toure
has played only once for City this season, in the 1-0 Champions League victory
over Steaua Bucharest on Aug. 16.
Guardiola
said he would not consider him for the first team after remarks from his agent
saying that the City boss was "humiliating a great player" by
benching him.
Toure
posted a statement on Facebook saying: "I wish to apologise on behalf of
myself and those who represent me to the management team and all those working
at the club for the misunderstandings from the past.
"Those
statements do not represent my views on the club or the people who work there.
"I
have nothing but respect for Manchester City and only wish the best for the
football club."
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