Toure omission a ‘sporting decision’

Yaya Toure has been left out of Manchester City’s Champions League opener at Feyenoord tonight but manager Pep Guardiola has refused to make clear why.

Guardiola, speaking at his pre-match press conference in Rotterdam, simply said a “sporting decision” had been made to omit the veteran midfielder.

The City boss added that the full reason would be kept between himself and the player.

The matter raises fresh questions over the 34-year-old’s future at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola said: “I spoke with him and he knows the reason why, but its between him and me. It’s a ‘sportive’ decision.”

Toure was an unused substitute for City’s first three games of the season before being left out of the squad for Saturday’s league defeat of Liverpool.

Guardiola will make a late decision on goalkeeper Ederson.

The Brazilian has been training wearing protective headgear after suffering facial injuries which required eight stitches in a nasty clash with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane at the weekend.