City's Pep Guardiola Happy To Move On From Yaya Toure Disagreement

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."