EXIT: Hart looks set to leave City
JOE HART could be forced to bring down the curtain on his Manchester City career in tonight's Champions League dead rubber against Steaua Bucharest.
City boss Pep Guardiola and Hart were seen in an animated conversation after training yesterday, just as Barcelona keeper Claudio Bravo was en route to Manchester to compete his £17m transfer.
And even though Hart's 10-year City career is clearly coming to an end, Gurdiola is ready to make the crisis keeper turn out one last time on a night when plenty of big names will be rested after last week's 5-0 stroll in Bucharest.
Guardiola said: "Yes, he has chance to play tomorrow. I don't know if it will be his last game.
"I've said many times he's our player. Until the 31st of this month, all the players here are our players, my players about that in the last two press conferences."
Guardiola also ducked questions about Bravo, even though he is expected complete his move to the Etihad in time for the visit of West Ham on Sunday.
The Chilean international's arrival will leave Hart as third choice keeper at City and in desperate need of a new club before the transfer window shuts next week.
"I cannot deny what everyone knows, "added Guardiola. "Barcelona were the first ones, a week or 10 days ago, to announce the contract with Manchester City.
"But, I'm sorry, when the deal is complete or not complete I will be open to answer. In this moment he is not our player."
City must go through the formalities of finishing off the Romanians at the England tonight after battering them in last week's away leg.
With a low cowed expected at the Etihad, and Guardiola ready to rest Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Raheem Sterling, plently of City fans will view the tie as hardly the occasion for Hart to bow out.
But Guardiola continues to insist he has no problem with Hart and that he is contention to play tonight, along with Willy Caballero and little known younster Angus Gunn.
Discussing their training ground exchange, Guardiola said: "We spoke about football. I have an excellent relationship with Joe.
"He is clear with me and me with him. He has a chance to play, the same as Angus and Willy and the other ones."
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