Outgoing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has given his backing to goalkeeper Joe Hart amid reports that he could be replaced as number one next season.
Pep Guardiola will take over as City boss in the summer, and it has been reported that he will target Barcelona shot-stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
It has also been rumoured that Guardiola may try to lure Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer to the Etihad Stadium.
However, Pellegrini believes that England's number one has proven that he deserves his place as first choice at City.
"I think Joe demonstrates in every game that he plays here that he is a very good goalkeeper," the Manchester Evening News quotes Pellegrini as saying. "I'm just talking about the three seasons I've been here.
"I am very happy with his performance. Maybe in the first season he had some bad games, but after that I think he's demonstrated how good a goalkeeper he is."
Hart is currently nursing a calf injury.
Danielle Joynson
