Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he's held back Yaya Toure in their biggest games.

Toure could feature today in the FA Cup semifinal against Arsenal.

Guardiola had positive things to say of a player he worked with at Barcelona but made it clear there was a reason for his omission in those key matches.

"Outstanding," he said when asked for his assessment of Toure.

"When he came back he played good.

"There was a period in the last month when he didn't play and he knows the reason why he didn't play - especially the game in Monaco - but he's back.

"You know my opinion about him since the beginning.

"The last game against Southampton he played really well again."