Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to Yaya Toure amid suggestions that the experienced midfielder is heading for the exit door at the Etihad Stadium.

Toure was left out of the squad to face Sunderland on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and has also not made the trip to Romania for Man City's Champions League playoff first leg with Steaua Bucuresti on Tuesday night.

The Ivorian's absence has heightened speculation that he will not be part of Guardiola's plans this season, but the Spanish coach has insisted that he has been impressed with the 33-year-old's application.

"He is training amazing but I was not sure he was going to play so I would prefer him to stay in Manchester," Guardiola told reporters.

Guardiola sanctioned the sale of Toure to Man City from Barcelona in 2010.