Yaya Toure left out of Ivory Coast squad

As they prepare for their upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire coach Michel Dussuyer has included Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony in his squad.

The Elephants manager has announced his 24-man squad for the two legged clash on Thursday, however, the biggest surprise is Bony’s clubmate, Yaya Toure’s absence in the squad.

“We have to get past this round and that is what we're going to try and do against Liberia, who are respectable opponents,” said Dussuyer to FIFA.com.

“They beat Tunisia during qualifying for the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations as well as eliminating Sierra Leona in the first round of World Cup qualifying.

"We are expecting a difficult confrontation."

Côte d'Ivoire full squad:

Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo, Mande Sayouba, Ali Badra Sangare

Defenders: Serge Aurier, Mamadou Bagayoko, Eric Bailly, Simon Deli, Constant Djakpa, Lamine Kone Ousmane Viera, Arthur Boka

Midfielders: Victorien Angban, Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro, Ismael Diomande, Assane Gnoukouri, Geoffrey Serey Die, Jean Michael Seri, Serge Yao N'Guessan

Forwards: Gervinho, Roger Assale, Seydou Doumbia, Cyriac Gohi Bi, Salomon Kalou, Giovanni Sio, Thomas Toure, Wilfried Bony

Is Yaya Toure favouring Manchester City over his country?

African footballer of the year Yaya Toure has again turned down a call-up from his country and will miss the start of the Ivory Coast's World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 32-year-old midfielder has not played for his country since they won the African Nations Cup in February, telling the Ivorian federation he wanted time to reflect on adding to a century of international caps.

"For the moment, Yaya has not expressed a desire to rejoin the squad," said Ivory Coast coach Michel Dussuyer on the country's football federation website ahead of the two-legged tie against Liberia next week.

Toure appeared to suffer from the physical exertions of competing for his country last season after the Ivory Coast won the Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea. He returned to Manchester City and suffered a marked dip in form.
Striker Wilfried Bony returns to the 24-man squad after missing last month's win over Morocco in a friendly in Agadir.

Ivory Coast play in Liberia on Nov. 13 and host them four days later with a place in the group phase of Africa's qualifiers for the 2018 finals in Russia at stake.