West Brom v Manchester City: Yaya Toure hopes away day jitters can be solved by the return of captain Vincent Kompany

The defender has been sidelined since the beginning of October but should make his return in either the trip to the Hawthorns or the weekend visit to Southampton

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has been back in training for over a week and should make his return to action against either West Brom or Southampton (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City's midfield inspiration Yaya Toure believes the imminent return of captain Vincent Kompany will help the team cure their travel problems.

The influential Kompany has been sorely missed while sidelined with a thigh injury over the past two months.

The Belgian centre-back's absence has been most keenly felt when City have played away from the Etihad Stadium, as they have struggled to replicate the attacking verve of their home performances on the road.

That has highlighted defensive weaknesses but Toure is convinced they can be rectified with Kompany back in the rearguard.

Kompany has been back in training for the past week and could be in contention to return as City face away tests at West Brom and Southampton this week.

Toure said: "It's a big test for us because we need to change this run and try to be at the top.

"These couple of weeks we have shown how strong we are at home, but in this Premier League you have to do the business away as well.

"We have to stay close to the big rivals. Arsenal and Chelsea are doing well and they win away as well as home, that's the difference.

"I hope the team can do well against West Brom and Southampton and I think it's going to be fine.

"Our captain Vincent Kompany is coming back and everything will settle down."

City are third in the Barclays Premier League, thanks largely to their 100 per cent home record, which they maintained with a 3-0 win over Swansea on Sunday.

In contrast they have lost four out of their six away games, including surprise reverses at Cardiff, Aston Villa and Sunderland.

They should at least travel to The Hawthorns with confidence after a goal-laden past week at home.

City thrashed Tottenham 6-0 and saw off Viktoria Plzen 4-2 in the Champions League before their ultimately comfortable defeat of Swansea.

Former Arsenal playmaker Samir Nasri maintained his recent good form by scoring the two second-half goals that saw off the spirited Swans at the weekend.

The France international struggled last season but now appears to be enjoying his best spell since joining City two years ago.

Toure believes the attacking instincts of manager Manuel Pellegrini are serving him well.

Toure said: "I think we have missed David Silva a bit as well, but Samir is unbelievable, an incredible player.

"He had a fantastic impact against Swansea and scored two fantastic goals.

"This year we play more attacking, the focus of the team is on attack.

"The team play very well together and Samir has his freedom.

"When you look at him playing before at Arsenal - he has that same freedom now.

"Pellegrini allows players like him to attack and enjoy this freedom and it's fantastic for him and the club."

PA