Soccer:Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has been suspended for six months after testing positive for a specified substance earlier this season.

However, Toure will be available for his club in September as the ban begins from March 2, the date of the start of his provisional suspension.

Toure is also to be target-tested for a period of two years, starting on Thursday, following an independent regulatory commission hearing convened at Wembley by the Football Association.

Toure admitted the offence - his first - contrary to Regulation 3 of the FA Doping Regulations 2010-11.

But the panel took into consideration the circumstances behind his use of water tablets belonging to his wife.

Headed up by Christopher Quinlan QC, the commission were satisfied Toure did not intend to enhance sporting performance or to mask the use of a performance-enhancing substance.