Etuhu looks forward to Yaya challenge

Barnsley midfielder Kelvin Etuhu has revealed his eagerness to outplay his opposite number Yaya Toure when the Championship side meet Manchester City in an FA Cup encounter on Saturday.

Toure, who joined City for £24m in July 2010, is one of the main reasons aspiring Etihad Stadium professionals such as Etuhu have headed elsewhere to seek fame and fortune..

Etuhu, a former Manchester City player, counts Yaya’s older brother Kolo as a guiding influence for himself and a number of young professionals during his spell there from 2006 to 2011.

On his time at City, Etuhu says: “It was very difficult towards the end as a lot of money got pumped into the club and they were buying a lot of world-class players. It was tough to break through at that level, but you still take the experience you have with you as you learn off the big-game players, such as the Yaya Toures and (Sergio) Agueros of this world. They are of the standard you hope to get to.

“As a young player, I remember Kolo Toure was very inspirational and he used to speak to you a lot. He would keep young players on the ground and motivate them, and was very good at that.

“But I have been really looking forward to the challenge of seeing how I match up against Yaya.

“He is my favourite player at Manchester City and one I watch a lot and inspire myself to be (like) one day. He is just an all-round midfielder who carries the ball well and can pass and is a competitor. He has got the lot.

“But while there is respect in the sense of what he and Man City have achieved, you have to believe in yourself and go with your own game plan and work hard. If we do that, I think we can get something.