Toure Yaya who missed yesterday’s match due to sinusitis could be available to play against Stuttgart in Wednesday night’s Champions League match. Toure didn’t train today but is expected to take part in tomorrow’s training session and should be ready to play at least a part of the Stuttgart game. Eric Abidal also missed training today after dropping out of yesterday’s game because of an attack of gastroenteritis, but he did manage a workout in the gym this morning and should be OK for Wednesday.

Toure’s importance to the team becomes more noticeable every week. Rafa Marquez and Andres Iniesta, who both played in Toure’s position yesterday, are both more useful in other positions. Marquez is needed at centre back in order to allow Carles Puyol to play at right back. With Gianluca Zambrotta’s worrying form at the moment, Puyol is a much better option at right back, as Frank Rijkaard seems to have finally lost faith in Oleguer Presas. Iniesta, meanwhile, contributes more to the team playing closer to the opposition’s goal. Hopefully Toure can quickly recover his form and be at 100% for the visit to Valencia on Saturday and for the big match with Real Madrid the week after.