Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is planning to return to national team duty with the Ivory Coast in 2016.

The 32-year-old, who won the Africa Cup of Nations for his country in February, is currently on a break from international action after citing exhaustion as a reason.

Quoted on the CAF website, he said: "I think the next appointment after this (the Liberia games) will be in 2016 with the continuation of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. In any case, I'll be ready."

"With all due respect to our new coach, Michel Dussuyer, I wanted to have a moment of respite.

"I was coming back from a long period of intense activity with the Elephants and the end of an exhausting season with my club Manchester City. I even had injuries.

"During the off-season I cut short my vacation in Abidjan to return to the club so I could be subject to a rigorous fitness programme.

"I had to follow to the letter and strictly my physical preparation programme during this period under the supervision of private coaches."