Toure thanks Wenger for standing by him

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has thanked Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for standing by him after his failed drugs test - and insists the Frenchman will emerge stronger from his present crisis.

Toure returned to action for City in their Carling Cup win over Birmingham on Wednesday night, ending a six-month absence. 

"I want to thank two people who have been really important to me - David Dein and Mr Wenger," he said.

"They have been supporting me and never let me down. I want to thank them very, very much."

Toure will never forget the debt of gratitude he owes to Wenger.

It was the Frenchman who brought him to England from the Ivory Coast as a 20-year-old.

"I would never say a bad word about Mr Wenger," said Toure. "He is somebody that makes players better. I came from nowhere. I was in Africa and nobody believed in me.

"I had been at a lot of clubs that didn't take me. This guy made me what I am now."