Kolo & Yaya Toure: Back in the mix

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FC Porto v Manchester City

Manchester City welcome back Yaya and Kolo Toure for their Europa League tie against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night.

The brothers, midfielder Yaya especially, left a significant void in the Citizens line-ups while on international duty with Cote d’Voire in the African Cup of Nations.

While Nigel de Jong has performed admirably for City in Yaya Toure’s absence, the Dutchman is likely to make way for the Ivorian linchpin in the round-of-32 first-leg clash.

Older sibling Kolo, though, would have to settle for spot on the bench for the Premier League leaders in Portugal, while striker Mario Balotelli is also in contention after serving a domestic suspension.

But fellow forward Carlos Tevez, back training with the Eastlands outfit after his three-month self-imposed exile in Argentina, is not registered to play.

Meanwhile, Porto will have to do without the services of new signing Marc Janko, who is ineligible having already played in the competition this season for FC Twente.

As is Lucho Gonzalez, who featured for Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the European campaign.

Striker Kleber is a major doubt for Vitor Pereira’s side due to illness, while Emidio Rafael remains sidelined due to a long-term injury.

Both teams will be targeting progression after their Champions League disappointments, the Dragons and the Citizens having qualified for Europa by virtue of their third-place group finishes.

Portistas, however, have even more incentive to succeed having won last season’s edition, as Roberto Mancini’s team make only their first appearance in the tournament.