Gary Neville has advised Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini to manage his midfield star Yaya Toure carefully.

The 32-year-old was forced off with an injury in the second half of the defeat against Tottenham on Saturday and Neville believes that the Ivorian is no longer able to play three matches within a week.

Former Manchester United captain Neville told Sky Sports: "He cannot play three games a week, that man.

"He's a fantastic player, but I would leave him for your most important games.

"There is a problem around Yaya Toure. On his day, he's perhaps the best central midfield player in the Premier League.

"But the idea that you can get three equal performances out of him in a week now is impossible.

"We've seen it with (Steven) Gerrard, (Paul) Scholes, (Ryan) Giggs, these players that have maximum impact in teams.

"They get into their 30s and physically you drop off; you have to manage them."