Yaya Toure has expressed his unhappiness at sitting on the Barcelona bench and has warned that he may leave the Nou Camp if his situation does not change.

The Ivorian defensive midfielder came on as a substitute for Seydou Keita in the 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the "Classico" last night and has made just 11 appearances this season and is not the first choice starter he was in 2008/2009.

Toure told France Football: "I need more playing time. This is hard for me, I’m not thirty, and I’m still young. And I believe that at my age (26) a footballer must give his all."

The former Monaco midfielder has been sick with swine flu in recent weeks but added that he did not understand why Barcelona extended his contract until 2012, "just to sit on the bench."

Toure added: "I’m training and playing to 100% of my ability. Why would they extend the contract of a player who is not good? This is an amazing situation. I have a decision to make."

The defensive midfielder has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City.