Yaya Toure and three more who came back in from the cold

Yaya Toure’s return for Manchester City  against Crystal Palace surprised a significant number of supporters this weekend, but his impact ultimately proved invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Two goals and a Man of the Match display secured another three points for the Citizens, but the Ivorian icon is not the first footballer to return to the starting XI when his future seemed uncertain.

Not many can deny the contribution Toure has had on this Manchester City side. Crucial goals, big game performances and two Premier League titles have secured his status as a legend at the Etihad Stadium.

Nonetheless, his performance against Palace summed up the career of the inspirational midfielder, who returned from a seemingly impossible situation.

So in honour of Toure’s unexpected return, Football FanCast have taken a look at three more Premier League stars, past and present, to have excelled after being let back in from the cold.

Carlos Tevez

After his infamous refusal to come off the bench for City against Bayern Munich in September 2011, Roberto Mancini followed suit by stating he would never play for City again.

Six months later, and numerous rounds of golf in Argentina, Tevez returned to Manchester to guide City to their first Premier League title. Tevez openly apologised for his outburst and rebuilt bridges with his manager.

Tevez played for the Blues for another season before departing for Juventus in 2013.

Gareth Bale

The Real Madrid winger may be in contention for a Ballon d’Or title, but the early days of Bale’s career were some distance from success.

When the Welshman moved to Tottenham in 2007, he was not highly regarded by management at White Hart Lane. Bale failed to play in a single game Tottenham won until 2009.

Shortly after the arrival of Harry Redknapp, Bale was converted from left-back to left wing and his days of being on the fringes of the squad were over. Bale became an integral part to Tottenham’s success and later the world’s most expensive player.

Jermain Defoe

Where would Sunderland be without the goals of Jermain Defoe?

Following an abysmal run of form in the MLS with Toronto, Sunderland provided the England forward with the opportunity to return to the Premier League in January 2015.

Defoe has not defied the faith and trust shown by the club who ended his disappointing North-American adventure.

The former Tottenham striker’s career looked all but finished, before the move to the North East rejuvenated his career.