Toure brothers to miss City’s cup clash

Manchester City's hopes of having Yaya and Kolo Toure available for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United have been dashed.

Blues boss Roberto Mancini had expressed hope the pair would be allowed to join the Ivory Coast squad for this month's African Nations Cup slightly later than planned, which would allow them to feature in the third–round match at the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini said he expected to learn within 24 hours whether the Toure brothers – defender Kolo and midfielder Yaya – would be excused a planned squad gathering in Paris on Saturday before they fly to Abu Dhabi for a two–week training camp.

The answer came a lot sooner than that, with Ivory Coast coach Francois Zahoui responding negatively.

"Clubs know the rules," Zahoui told BBC Africa. "I'm expecting the Toures for the FIFA deadline."

FIFA give countries the right to call up players a fortnight before the tournament begins, and the African Nations Cup starts on January 21.

City had been unaware that was an official position that could not be changed.

It is a major blow for City, whose manager has revealed he may struggle to fill his bench on Sunday.

Gareth Barry is suspended, Owen Hargreaves is not considered fit enough to be involved, and Mario Balotelli is troubled by an ankle injury that prevented him playing against both Sunderland and Liverpool.