Manchester City defender Toure takes inspiration from United duo

Kolo Toure has revealed his admiration for Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

The Ivory Coast international has been pushed down the pecking order at Manchester City, with Roberto Mancini rating Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott and Matija Nastasic above him in the pecking order. Despite this, and the fact he is in the final 12 months of his contract, Toure is refusing to admit his days at the Etihad Stadium are numbered.

Indeed, the former Arsenal star is prepared to fight for his future at the Blues, and believes that if he can force his way back into the first team picture, he could be around for some time yet. And he is taking his inspiration from across the road, where 38-year-old Giggs and 37-year-old Scholes are still very much part of the furniture at Old Trafford.

"I want to stay, I want to fight for my place," Toure, 32 in March, told the BBC. "It's difficult, I was a key player. I've done everything but that will not change the manager's decision I like City and this season I started every game pre-season. But when the season started I've been kicked out again from the team.

"I fight. My team-mates know, my brother (Yaya, City midfielder) knows. I do my best but the club are showing me the way out at the moment. I still have this hunger. I take Ryan Giggs (38) and Paul Scholes (37) as an example. What they are doing for Manchester United is incredible. I want to be like them."