Joe Hart to be given chance to make Manchester City goalkeeper's jersey his own
Joe Hart has been told he will be handed the opportunity to claim Manchester City's goalkeeping jersey on a permanent basis next season with Shay Given likely to miss the start of the 2010/11 campaign following shoulder surgery.
Republic of Ireland international Given, 34, is facing between four to five months on the sidelines as a result of the injury to his left shoulder sustained during the 0-0 draw against Arsenal last Saturday.
The former Newcastle goalkeeper's injury has forced to City to recruit Sunderland's third-choice goalkeeper, Marton Fulop, on an emergency loan following the Premier League's refusal to sanction the early recall of Hart from his loan period at Birmingham City.
But while Fulop will be charged with helping City secure Champions League football in their final three league games, Hart's prospects at Eastlands have improved dramatically in the wake of Given's injury.
The 23 year-old, voted into the PFA's Premier League Team of the Year earlier this week, has enjoyed an impressive season on loan at St Andrews and is now considered a strong candidate to earn selection as England's third-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup.
Hart's performances for Birmingham have prompted interest from Arsenal, but Given's injury has erased any possibility of City selling the former Shrewsbury youngster this summer.
With former City manager Mark Hughes investing £7 million in Given's services when buying him from Newcastle in Jan 2009, Hart became frustrated with his lack of opportunities at City, hence his move to Birmingham.
But with Roberto Mancini now in place as Hughes's successor, Hart has been assured that he will be judged on his performances next season and will retain his place if he impresses during Given's absence.
Should City qualify for the Champions League, Hart could therefore go into the new season challenging for the England No1 jersey at the same time as playing on the biggest stage for his club.
City's immediate goalkeeping duties rest with Fulop, however. The Hungarian, who has not figured for Sunderland since the 7-2 defeat at Chelsea in January, trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Wednesday and he insists he has no concerns over being thrust into the spotlight against Aston Villa this weekend.
Fulop said: "I got the call on Tuesday from City and I was more than happy to come and help the club. It's fantastic to be here at such a time.
"It came out of the blue, but I'm delighted to try to help City achieve their goal. There are some fantastic players here so I am not worried about anything."
Former City captain Richard Dunne is due to return to Eastlands on Saturday for the first time since being sold by the club last summer.
The Irish defender departed with critical words for City chief executive Garry Cook and he insists his former club will be weighed down by pressure this weekend.
Dunne said: "It's big for City. They're in front of their home crowd and they have to be in the Champions League, so the pressure's probably on them. They're expected to go out and win." ends
