Image:Costel Pantilimon: City keeper impressed against Arsenal in Tuesday's Carling Cup victory
Costel Pantilimon is willing to bide his time at Manchester City - but warned Joe Hart he wants the No.1 jersey.
Loan keeper wants to push Hart for long-term place
Romanian keeper Costel Pantilimon is willing to bide his time at Manchester City - but warned Joe Hart he has his eyes on the No.1 jersey.
Highly-rated Pantilimon, who joined City on a season-long loan from Romanian minnows Timisoara in the summer, impressed during a rare outing in Tuesday's 1-0 Carling Cup quarter-final success at Arsenal.
The 6ft 8in goalkeeper made two brilliant first-half saves to deny the Gunners before Sergio Aguero fired City into the semi-finals with a late winner.
Pantilimon, 23, has patiently waited for his chance with England international Hart helping leaders City forge the Premier League's meanest defence.
Fight
But the Romania international is aiming to play more regularly and clinch a permanent £3m move to Eastlands next summer.
He said: "I just work to be ready when the team needs me.
"Right now it is Joe playing, because he is a great keeper. But in every training session everybody fights and works to be in the squad.
"It is normal that everyone wants to play, but I have to wait for my chances and see what happens."
