Hart: No positives to getting rested

Champions League Group E

Joe Hart has admitted he finds it “hard to see the positives” of being rested and said he is relishing the challenge of fighting for his place.

The England goalkeeper was replaced by summer signing Willy Caballero for Manchester City’s 4-2 win at Hull at the weekend, but is set to be recalled for the visit of Roma in the Champions League tonight.

Hart said last week he was in the dark over a new contract with City — his current deal has just under two years left to run — but insists he wants to stay at the club for as long as he is welcome.

The 27-year-old was dropped last season after run of errors, but reclaimed his place, and conceded he found it difficult to see any positives from being rested.

Hart said: “It is hard for me to see it that way. I am sure when I retire from football I will see them, but right now I am not going to see them.

“Of course I want to play every game, that is my nature, my professionalism. I am not the manager, just a player. I live by the decisions of the manager.

“We have always had good goalkeepers, David James, [Andreas] Isaksson, Kasper [Schmeichel], [Costel] Pantilimon, it has always been a fight for me to keep my place and that will continue, but I have always had high standards that I will keep to, whether there is one goalkeeper or 20. I love the challenge.”

The match at the Etihad will see Hart face his former England team-mate Ashley Cole, who moved from Chelsea to Italy in the summer.

Cole admits he never expected to come up against his old Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard again as the pair prepare to cross swords this evening.

Lampard has arrived at Manchester City on loan, having originally left the Stamford Bridge side for MLS newcomers New York City FC.

Cole, 33, said: “Everyone knows what Lampard brings to any team — he’s a great experienced player who scores goals. He even scored against Chelsea — they probably didn’t like that and probably a little bit disappointing for him to score as well.

“But he’s a professional and he has to do a job and that is scoring goals. I don’t think Chelsea were wrong (to let us go) — a decision was made, I’m fine with it. I had eight great years there and I am really enjoying a new challenge.”

Cole admitted there are big differences in Italian football but said that he is relishing the challenge.

He added: “I’m loving Italy — of course it’s different to the Premier League, most of the players have very good technique and the Prem is fast and furious at times.

“But we play fast, we like to attack, don’t sit back to defend, we have a good mentality and a good manager who is always on at us to go forward and play.

“I’m getting used to it now and really enjoying playing Italian football.

Cole admitted that City would be the favourites but that should Roma win, it would leave Manuel Pellegrini’s men in a difficult place, and that the pressure was all on the home side.

He said: “There’s a lot of pressure on City, not so much on us but I know they have big players and are hungry to win the Champions League.

“If we win it will make it more difficult for them to catch up and will probably make us top of the group and put us in good stead for qualifying, but it’s going to be a tough game.”

Roma coach Rudi Garcia said the Italian side — runners up in Serie A last season — had the chance to make a real statement about their quality.

“We have the champions of Germany and the champions of England in the group so we are outsiders but we are proud to be able to show our qualities,” he said.

“Tomorrow we need to be protagonists and not spectators and make it hard for Manchester City.”