• Premier League

Pellegrini set to ditch Hart for Pantilimon

ESPN staff
October 29, 2013
Will Hart be dropped?

Joe Hart is set to be replaced by Costel Pantilimon for Manchester City's League Cup trip to Newcastle United, and could find his Premier League place under threat.

Hart has made a number of high profile errors this season, most recently in City's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday - after which, City manager Manuel Pellegrini refused to publicly back his number one goalkeeper.

According to reports in the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail, Pantilimon will start at St James' Park on Wednesday and, if City's number two impresses, could be called upon when they host Norwich at the Etihad on Saturday - which would mark his first league appearance since joining the club in February 2012.

Poor form could also cost Hart the No. 1 jersey for England, with Roy Hodgson looking to introduce Fraser Forster into the mix against Chile on November 15.

Meanwhile, Pellegrini is reported to be considering a move for Malaga stopper Willy Caballero, in order to provide stronger back up to Hart and improve competition between the sticks.

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