QPR vs Manchester City: Manuel Pellegrini makes Yaya Toure captain in show of faith

Toure was sent off against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday

Yaya Toure charges forward (Getty Images)

Manuel Pellegrini has given a huge vote of confidence to the much-criticised Yaya Touré by making him captain for Manchester City’s visit to Queen’s Park Rangers today.

Touré, who was sent off against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, will captain City after Vincent Kompany was sidelined by a calf injury. The City manager is adamant the midfielder has the strength of character to perform.

Pellegrini believes that rather than rest his player, the best way for Touré to recapture his form is to stay in a side who have themselves been struggling to regain the sort of level that led them to the Premier League title last season.

“If I think that Yaya needs to rest mentally from the pressure, I think he is not the player that he is,” he said. “He will continue to play because that is the best way. I know he would want to continue.”

As for reports that Touré will be sold, Pellegrini responded: “Yaya is a very important player. He played very well in the first half [against CSKA] – he scored a goal. In the second half he made a mistake and he was sent off but I am sure nobody at the club is talking about selling Yaya Touré.

“Maybe that news comes from other teams [who want] to see our team weaker.”

With Kompany absent, Eliaquim Mangala, who has featured in just five of their 14 Premier and Champions League games, could return.