City goal machine Toure in running for top Aussie award

The 22-year-old was on target again in the 3-1 Championship win at Sheffield United, to take his tally for the Canaries to 18 goal contributions in 17 appearances since his mid-winter move from Denmark.

Toure also led the line for the Socceroos at the start of their World Cup quest in the summer, and the striker’s standout 12 months has seen him make a six-player shortlist for an award won previously by the likes of Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak.

Club boss Philippe Clement wants to lower expectations around Toure’s prolific goal scoring impact, but former golden boot winner Kevin Phillips believes he is key to the Canaries’ promotion bid.

“He's a right handful. He’s going to be crucial. If Norwich have any chance of getting to those play-offs, they need to keep him fit,” said the ex-England striker now pundit, who was part of five promotion winning teams to the English top flight.

“He needs to score goals. But when he's not, I'd like to see other players in areas of the pitch chip in and score goals as well.

“People have taken notice of him already. I'm sure there are people who are watching him closely with a potential eye on something in the future. But he's one of their main strikers and a major threat to them, and he can score goals if you keep him fit.”

Blades’ boss Chris Wilder ranked Toure, Andre Brooks and Anthony Musaba as one of the best attacking trios in the Championship.

“Anthony, Mo, and Andre didn't play many minutes together yet, and for sure not with Anis (Ben Slimane) behind them,” said Clement. “So new connections there, but you see more and more the other offensive players start to understand also what to do, how we want to play, what positions to be in.

“I'm also really pleased that Matty (Kvistgaarden) scored his goal, coming on and showing the right energy, the passion, the runs, the defensive work and scoring. That's what we need. We cannot count on one striker, on one player to score the goals. We need them from everywhere.”

Kevin Phillips gives his weekly Championship predictions here