City make Fulop move after Given injury

Manchester City are reported to have approached Sunderland about signing goalkeeper Marton Fulop as they await permission to bring in a replacement for injured star Shay Given.

City are firmly in the hunt for a Champions League spot but their challenge could be damaged after they were left without an experienced senior goalkeeper when Given dislocated his shoulder in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Arsenal.

Joe Hart is currently on loan at Birmingham and Stuart Taylor is on his way back from a knee injury, leaving the Faroe Islands’ Gunnar Nielsen as the squad’s only fit keeper.

Reports on Tuesday claimed City are attempting to recall Hart from his spell, but, even though the transfer window is closed, they may be allowed an emergency signing and it is believed there has been contact with Sunderland over Hungary international Fulop.

“I can’t confirm officially any approach because personally I haven’t been contacted by anyone,” Fulop told the Sunderland Chronicle. “But if the news is true then I’d go there happily and I would be hungry to play for Manchester City.

“This is an enormous honour for me that my name has been linked with a club which has such a great history.”

City are currently sixth in the Premier League, one point behind fourth placed Tottenham and fifth placed Aston Villa with three matches to go, including crucial clashes against Villa and Spurs in the next week.