Yaya Touré has suggested that Manchester City can rely on him in their quest for success only in the immediate future after the Ivorian admitted he would like to return to Barcelona one day.
Touré joined City in the summer of 2010 and, at 28, the midfielder may not have too much time to have his wish and again play for the Catalan club with whom he won the Champions League in 2009.
Touré, who joined for £24m and scored both goals in Sunday's 2-0 win at Newcastle United to place City on the verge of winning a first title since 1968, told the Spanish radio station RAC1: "I said two years ago that I would return. It's been the most important team for me and if they call you don't think twice.
"I love Barcelona. In the press conference I did when I left I said I would return. In life you never know what will happen tomorrow, it's been the team of my life and I would like to finish my sporting career [there]. If I could return, it would be great."
Touré also backed Tito Vilanova, who will replace Pep Guardiola as the Barcelona coach this summer. Regarding Guardiola's decision to resign the Ivorian said: "It was a little strange, because Guardiola has been a key person in the success of Barça in all these years. But we are all human and, despite having done phenomenal things, he has decided to go. I know Tito very well and I think that he will apply the same philosophy as Pep. Tito is also a very good person, with a very similar idea of football. I think Tito is a good coach as well."
Sheikh Mansour, the City owner, is not expected at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday to watch Roberto Mancini's side take on Queens Park Rangers in their attempt to win the title. The decision may suggest he is relaxed about the future of Mancini, with the Abu Dhabi billionaire pleased at how the manager has rallied the side during the closing phase of the campaign.
Having been eight points behind Manchester United after losing 1-0 at Arsenal early last month, City have to match their neighbours' result to be sure of the title.
At present Mansour is scheduled to watch the game against QPR on television, due to prior commitments, though there may be a late change. Since buying the club in the summer of 2008 Mansour has attended a game at the Etihad once – last season's 3-0 victory over Liverpool.
Mancini should be able to select a full‑strength team after no fresh injuries were reported from Sunday's game.
Joe Hart, meanwhile, has been described by David James as the best goalkeeper in Europe. "Iker Casillas is regarded by many as being the best in Europe, if not the world, but I don't think it is arguable too much that Joe Hart kicks a better ball than him, fills his area better and can produce any save that Casillas makes," the former England No1 said. "Who's better? I think Joe Hart."