Yaya Toure will not play in the Manchester Derby on Wednesday despite Pep Guardiola admitting he would like him to be involved.

The Manchester City manager said in September that Toure will not play for the club until he receives an apology for the comments from his agent Dimitri Seluk,who said Guardiola was "humiliating a great player."

Guardiola will make changes for the EFL Cup clash with Manchester United to rest some of his players during a busy period of seven games in 21 days.

The Spaniard would not confirm whether he had received an apology but said Toure won't be in the squad for Old Trafford.

He told a news conference: "You know the situation. I would like to come with Yaya, believe me, I would like, but you know the situation."

The clash comes after a tough week, which saw City draw successive Premier League games at home to Everton and Southampton sandwiched by the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.

Guardiola admitted the games had taken a lot out of his players and he will rotate his starting lineup. But he insists he is desperate to win against Jose Mourinho's side despite the competition being his lowest priority this season.

"I think everyone can believe this competition is not the big one. Before that you've got the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Champions League," he said. "But I grew up in one way so I never consider one game more important.

"The most important game is the next one. But our last games were tough. When you win the game 3-0 in the last 15 or 20 minutes you can have more control. But we played 10 against 11, it's physical and tough in the Champions League. After that there was the game against Southampton.

"But I am going to prepare to win the game -- the players who play tomorrow we'll be depending on them to make the best performance possible.

"Tomorrow is the most important but at the same time I have to consider the condition of the players. Three days after this is West Brom, then Barcelona and they are so important as well."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Jonathan Smith

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