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Manchester City have left out Ivorian star Yaya Touré out of their roster of players for the group stages of the Champions League.

Touré, 33, has not started any of City’s Premier League games so far this season. And it appears he is not going to be an integral part of new boss Pep Guardiola’s plans.

City have invested heavily during the just-closed transfer window, recruiting across the pitch including new players in midfield, Toure’s position.

Remember that Touré was sold to city by Barcelona under Guardiola’s watch, and he will now have to contend with a bit part given the closure of the transfer window.

It is a big blow for Ivorian fans who will be hoping that their star players are in good form going into the AFCON 2017 in Gabon. They therefore must hope that Wilfried Bony’s move to Stoke gets the player into good conditioning as the Ivory Coast look to defend the title they won two years ago.