Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart accepts he may have to sit out today’s League Cup final.

But the England international insists he will be “man enough” to take it if Costel Pantilimon is preferred for this afternoon’s Wembley showpiece against Sunderland.

Hart lost his place to Pantilimon for a spell last November and December after a series of high-profile errors.

But since Hart re-established himself as number one towards the end of 2013, manager Manuel Pellegrini has reverted to his default practice of playing second-choice Pantilimon in domestic cup ties.

That means Hart could be left on the bench at Wembley, although Pellegrini has not yet made his selection public.

Hart told BBC: “I work hard every day to win, I work hard with every intention of winning and I understand it doesn’t always go my way.

“I have got to be man enough to take that. I have got to be responsible for what goes on, for how I react and for how I conduct myself.”

Pellegrini was asked which goalkeeper might start when he held his pre-match press conference in Manchester on Friday, but would not be drawn.

“I have already made my decision but unfortunately you cannot know it until Sunday,” Pellegrini said.

Pantilimon was also guarded when asked about his prospects of playing.

The Romanian said: “Only the manager can say this. I am like all the players, we are ready for this game.”

Pellegrini did confirm that top scorer Sergio Aguero was fit again after five games out with a hamstring injury but was unsure whether the 26-goal forward would be ready to start.

Pellegrini said: “It is very important for the team to have Sergio again with us because he is a very important player. We must see if he is 100 per cent to play.”