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Hart reveals frustration at Pellegrini's policy

Joe Hart has not been offered a new contract © Getty Images

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Joe Hart says he was frustrated at being left out of the Manchester City side for the last two games and sees no positives in manager Manuel Pellegrini's squad rotation policy.

But the goalkeeper, who was not one of six players handed new long-term contracts at the Etihad Stadium this summer, is keen to extend his deal with the Premier League champions beyond its 2016 expiry.

Summer signing Willy Caballero took Hart's place in goal for the 7-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday and Saturday's 4-2 win at Hull, but Hart is in line to return against Roma in Tuesday's Champions League clash.

"Of course I want to play every game: that is my nature, my professionalism," Hart said. "But I am not the manager, just a player and I live by the decisions of the manager.

"It is hard for me to see it [the benefits of being rested and fresh]. I am sure when I retire from football I will see them but right now I am not going to see them."

Despite his disappointment at spending time on the bench, Hart insisted he hopes to remain a City player for many years to come.

"While I am welcome here, I am more than happy to stay here and see where that takes me," said Hart, who welcomed the competition from Pellegrini's first-choice goalkeeper at Malaga, Caballero.

Hart said: "We have always had good goalkeepers since I have been here, going back to David James, [Andreas] Isaksson, Kasper [Schmeichel], Shay Given, [Costel] Pantilimon [and] Stuart Taylor.

"It has always been a fight for me to keep my place and that will continue but I have got high standards that I like keep to, whether I am the only goalkeeper or one of 20.

"It excites me. I love challenging for my place and I love playing and that will never change. I will continue fighting."

Pellegrini, however, deflected talk of giving Hart a new contract. He said: "Me and Joe know what happen with that issue. It is important but not the most important thing in this moment."

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