Kolo Toure frustrated by lack of playing time

Kolo Toure has admitted that he is struggling to deal with being fourth in the pecking order of defenders at Manchester City.

The former Arsenal centre-back was expected to leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer but failed to agree a move to Bursaspor.

City boss Roberto Mancini signed 19-year-old Matija Nastasic from Fiorentina at the end of August, meaning Toure's playing time has been limited.

The Ivorian said: "Joleon [Lescott] and Vincent [Kompany] have been fantastic and deserve their place, but it's much harder when a young player comes and steps in front of you.

"Since I came back from the problem I had, I've been fourth-choice every time and that's been really difficult. It's hard to come in and give your best.

"Sometimes I am not on the bench and that is not easy, but it's up to me to prove to the manager that I am still one of the best."

Toure was handed a rare start in the Capital One Cup defeat to Aston Villa on Tuesday.