Pellegrini rules out Hart exit

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has denied that Joe Hart is on the verge of a move away from the Etihad Stadium, ESPN understands.

The England goalkeeper has been absent from the City starting XI in recent weeks, after making a succession of high profile errors for club and country.

Costel Pantamilion has played in the clubs last five matches, leading to speculation that Hart could be moved on.

The Mirror reported that he could be used as a makeweight in a deal that would see Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic move to Manchester, though Pellegrini has confirmed that the former Shrewsbury Town shot stopper is not on his way out of the club.

Hart is set to return to the fold for tomorrow evening’s Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen, and the 2012 Premier League champions can be backed at a price of 8/11 to win the game without conceding.