Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that midfielder Yaya Toure is not the same player that helped them to Premier League glory last season.
The Sky Blues have endured a trying defence of their title, with Pellegrini's side 12 points behind leaders Chelsea as the inquest goes on over their troubled campaign.
Despite scoring 10 times this season, Toure remains some 14 shy of equalling his goal-laden exploits of last term, and the Chilean admits that the 31-year-old must do more.
However, with a top-four finish still not yet secure, the City boss says that he will keep faith with the Ivorian for the remainder of the season.
"He doesn't need a break. For a lot of reasons he's not the same Yaya he was last season but he continues being a very important player for our team," he told reporters at a press conference.
"I don't think Yaya is happy with his performance this year, and I am not happy also with his performance.
"But we must support him and he will return him to his normal performance. He's a very important player and he will have my support until the end of the season."
The Citizens sit fourth in the table, four points clear of Liverpool in the race for Champions League qualification.
Shane Callaghan
