Nation: Ivory Coast
Games: 3
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Minutes played: 270

City had looked to be doing surprisingly well without their midfield powerhouse, winning their first three games without hm against Stoke, Arsenal and Fulham.

However, two draws since have dented Roberto Mancini's side's title hopes and they will need Toure to drag them through the rest of the season, as he did after returning from Afcon duty last season, if they are to catch up to Manchester United at the Premier League's summit.

Toure was in sparkling form for the Elephants in South Africa, contributing to three goals in as many games and single-handedly powering his side past Togo in their opening game, opening the scoring in the first half and setting up Gervinho's late winner.