Hart unfazed by deal talk

City goalkeeper concentrates on first-team place

Last updated: 4th October 2008

Hart unfazed by deal talk

Hart: Focused

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Manchester City star Joe Hart insists he is more concerned about keeping his first-team place than talks about a new contract.

Mark Hughes is keen to tie the England goalkeeper to a new deal and revealed this weeks discussions had begun.

Hart is pleased to be talking about a new deal, but insists he needs to stay on his toes as City, with their new found wealth from owners Abu Dhabi United Group, could bring in a new keeper at any time.

"I want to stay at the club. It's a great club to be at and it would be nice to get the deal out of the way," he said.

Pressure

"But I am more interested in continuing to get games under my belt. I want to be playing.

"With all the investment coming in, there is always the chance that the club could buy another goalkeeper.

"The funds are there if they ever needed to spend and I know that in the back of my mind.

"There is a lot of pressure on me to keep my place but it's positive pressure. I've got to keep on top of my game.

"I need to focus on what I'm doing and hope that, if it is right, I'll keep my place."

Experience

Hughes is delighted with Hart's recent form.

"Joe Hart technically is as good as any keeper I have seen, but what he hasn't got at the moment is the benefit of experience and games under the belt," he said.

"Ideally we want him to get that experience with us and make sure he is here for many years."