Kolo Toure has insisted that he is prepared to fight for his place in the Manchester City starting lineup.

The 31-year-old has spent most of the season on the bench, with manager Roberto Mancini preferring to use Vincent Kompany and Matija Nastasic at the heart of the City defence on a regular basis.

As a result, the former Arsenal centre-back had been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium during next month's transfer window.

However, Toure has revealed that he will battle hard in order to force his way into Mancini's plans.

"It's not easy but for me I'm used to that," he told Sky Sports News. "You know I've been at Arsenal which is a top club and every week you have to fight for your place.

"For me, I'm a fighter and I like to play for big clubs because that's where you improve yourself. Every day at training you have to give a 100% to be picked by your manager.

"It's not quite easy but for me I love it and I'm just carrying [on] doing my best every day."

Toure joined City from Arsenal in the summer of 2009.