Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Pep Guardiola not changing plans after Yaya Toure's drink-driving charge

MANCHESTER -- Yaya Toure remains part of Pep Guardiola's immediate plans despite the Manchester City having a drink-driving charge hanging over him.

The midfielder was stopped in Dagenham on Nov. 28 and charged the following day. He will appear at Barkingside Magistrates' Court on Dec. 13.

Guardiola told a news conference that Toure, 33, will be in his squad for this Saturday's trip to Premier League champions Leicester City.

"I spoke to him about the issue, he gave me his reasons, I trust him," the City boss said. "Whatever happens, I take the decisions on what I see on the pitch about his behaviour.

"I said before he played at Crystal Palace that he's part of the team because he's training good. He's fit.

"I love midfield players. If I could play 11 midfield players, I would, and he's one of them. Then after the charge, we will see what is the situation."

Raheem Sterling trained with the squad and should be available after missing last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Chelsea and the midweek 1-1 draw with Celtic. Fabian Delph, who has not played since August, also trained with the first team as he recovers from a groin operation.

But City will be without suspended pair Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho after their red cards in the ugly ending of their Chelsea defeat, while Nicolas Otamendi is on a yellow-card ban.

Fernandinho has played every minute in the Premier League this season, but Guardiola said Pablo Zabaleta could deputise after playing there against Celtic.

"Sterling is much better -- yesterday he trained good -- hopefully he will be fit for tomorrow," the manager said. "Fabian Delph trained yesterday. All of them are good.

"Zabaleta can play in the middle. In the last game he did that. He is really good at arriving in the box.

"In the last years of his career, he is going to play more in the middle than at full-back. He has the qualities, not the same as Fernandinho, but he can play there."

Guardiola's side trail Premier League pacesetters Chelsea by four points after last week's defeat but come up against a Leicester side that have won just one of their past nine Premier League games.

But the City boss warned the Foxes are still a dangerous side, particularly now their Champions League adventure is on hold until February.

"Leicester I saw these last days remain a good team," he added. "They have to handle the situation of last season.

"It was amazing what they did and the way they did it. A new competition in the Champions League they were first. Maybe they were so focused on the Champions League that they are not focused on the Premier League. Then you have three or four games and you are in the middle.

"But now they can focus on the Premier League. They have a lot of quality and I'm sure they will come back to where they deserve."

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