Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini won't hear criticism of Yaya Toure.

The midfielder has fallen short of his own standards this season and is being courted by Roberto Mancini at Inter Milan.

Defending his player, the City boss said: 'I feel sorry for Yaya. When he went to the Africa Cup of Nations and we lost to Arsenal and Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, he was seen as guilty because he was not here.

"He returned here and now he is a disaster, people say he doesn't have spirit, he isn't fit. He is a very important player for our team and we need him to give his best performance and the best way to recover Yaya is to trust in him.

Toure's brother died last summer while he was at the World Cup with Ivory Coast.

"Yaya has had a difficult year and we must support him," said Pellegrini.