Yaya Toure: 'Man City can cope without me'

Yaya Toure has insisted that Manchester City can cope without him while he is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with the Ivory Coast.

The Blues have been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions and have had their Premier League lead cut down to goal difference since the midfielder's departure.

"We have a great team and I know I am certainly not irreplaceable," he told Goal.com.

"Look at the amount of money the club has spent on talent and still tell me that 'there is only one Yaya'. I do not believe this. Somebody can still play in my place and help us win.

"By the time the African Cup of Nations finishes I hope we will still be on top of the league."

The Ivory Coast face co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals on Saturday.