Nigel de Jong faces being dumped by Manchester City after the World Cup.

The Sunday Mirror says De Jong is set to become a shock casualty at Manchester City following the Blues' £24million capture of Yaya Toure.

The Dutch international arrived at Eastlands just 17 months ago in a £16m deal from Hamburg.

But his future is in serious doubt after Roberto Mancini made Toure his first big-name signing of the summer after finally agreeing a deal with Barcelona for the Ivory Coast international.

City now have four defensive central midfielders - with Gareth Barry and Patrick Vieira also in Mancini's squad - and Vincent Kompany has also been used in that role.

That could make De Jong surplus to requirements, even though he has become a cult hero with the City fans after some tenacious displays.