Football News : City's Kolo Toure 'stronger' after six-month ban

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Manchester City defender Kolo Toure believes he has emerged a stronger character following his six-month suspension for failing a drugs test.

GettyImagesKolo Toure is poised to make his comeback from suspension against Birmingham

• Toure out to prove doubters wrong

Toure, who was hit with the ban after taking diet pills which contained the banned substance bendroflumethiazide, is set to make his first appearance since February when City take on holders Birmingham in the Carling Cup on Wednesday evening.

He told the Sun: "I have gained a lot of strength from this hard time and I just need to focus on the future. It is really important to g et back to what I love to do - which is football.

"People know I am not someone to try and cheat. I was really unlucky but all the people at the club and in Ivory Coast gave me a lot of support - and the most important thing is now I am back."

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