Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri believes that the return of Ivory Coast internationals Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony will significantly boost the Citizens for the remainder of their campaign.

Bony was signed by Manchester City in the recently concluded winter transfer window, but he has not been able to play or train with the reigning Premier League champions due to his engagements with the Ivory Coast national team during their triumphant African Cup of Nations campaign.




Toure, who has been one of the mainstays of Manchester City since his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2010, was the captain of the Ivorian national team during their successful conquest in Equatorial Guinea.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been unable to string together a consistent run of form in Toure’s absence, and have won only once in their last five Premier League fixtures. As a result Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea have taken a commanding seven-point lead at the top of the table.
 


Nasri believes that the returning duo, who will be happy following their continental victory, will give a big shot in the arm to Manchester City for the remainder of their campaign.  

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“Especially after their win they will come back to us really happy”, Nasri told the club site.

The Frenchman stressed that Toure is an essential component of Pellegrini’s side.

“I spoke a little bit with Yaya and it [winning the African Cup of Nations] was something he was waiting for for ages and now he has it and his head is going to be in the right place, and we know how important he is.”

The midfielder wishes that the latest high-profile addition to Manchester City squad, Bony, who scored nine goals and assisted three for Swansea in the current season, continues his form for his new team.

“And Wilfried Bony we just hope that he is going to continue his run like he was with Swansea, scoring goal after goal and we’ll see at the end of the season.”

The duo will be available for selection when the Citizens face Newcastle United in their next Premier League outing on 21st February.

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