Kolo Touré has been told he still has a big part to play at Manchester City despite finding himself relegated to the bench recently.
City's club captain has made only five appearance since the turn of the year for the club for a variety of reasons including his involvement in the African Cup of Nations, a knee injury and a loss of form.
Manager Roberto Mancini has of late preferred Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott in the heart of his defence over the Ivory Coast international.
Mancini insists the £14m recruit from Arsenal last summer, remains an important player and expects him to figure at some stage in their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
He said: "Kolo was out of the team initially because he had a [knee] problem for two weeks. He is OK now and still very important for us. We still have a lot of games left and we will need all the players to be 100%."
Touré may get a chance to return to the team for Sunday's game at Fulham now Wayne Bridge is out for a month that if he decides to move Lescott to left-back to cover for his absence.