Pep Guardiola moved to play down Yaya Toure's omission from Manchester City's squad for their Champions League play-off this week.

The veteran Ivory Coast midfielder was left out of Guardiola's 18-man squad for Tuesday night's first leg qualifier against Steaua Bucharest in Romania having also missed Saturday's Premier League season opener against Sunderland.

Explaining Toure's absence, Guaridola indicated that the 33-year-old will still have a role to play at the Etihad Stadium despite reports suggesting his future is clouded under the Spaniard.

"He is much, much better in the last few days," said Guardiola.

"But I wasn't sure he was going to play so I prefer to leave him there, training well in Manchester and looking forward to the next game.

"We travelled with young guys (Angus Gunn, Tosin Adarabioyo and Angel Tasende) who may stay out of the selection, and I prefer that to be the young guys than Yaya Toure.

"I respect a lot his career and his qualities but, in the first days, especially against Sunderland, we were looking for a more intensive game, that is the only reason he didn't play."