Victor Valdes praises Yaya Toure

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes has praised former teammate Yaya Toure, whose Manchester City side face the Spanish outfit at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Toure departed Barcelona for City in 2010 and has developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during his time in England.

"It was great to see Yaya. He brought seven mates onto the team bus and we were there for two hours taking photos, as if he was still in the team," he told The Guardian.

"It can be sad when people move on and you know you won't see them tomorrow after everything you shared, but you get used to it. You stay in touch too - this Christmas I saw Thierry Henry in New York.

"Yaya started off as a holding midfielder here and we used him a lot as a central defender but his strength is carrying the ball forward. A league like the Premier which is more open helps. He protects the ball well and now you're discovering something I already knew very well - that he has a very good shot."

Barcelona hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash with City.