Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has dismissed suggestions goalkeeper Joe Hart could be loaned out in January.

Pellegrini has also played down speculation he might look to sign a new keeper during the mid-season transfer window.

Hart, the England first choice, recently lost his place in the City side after a series of inconsistent displays and has sat out their last five games.

Pellegrini said: “There is a lot of news about six or seven keepers that we want to buy but it is not true. There is no chance that Joe Hart could go out of this squad in January.”

Hart has not played for City since a late error proved costly in City’s loss to Chelsea on October 27.

He has been told he will return as Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen visit the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League tonight but Pellegrini has given no assurances about his long-term prospects.

Costel Pantilimon has done little wrong since taking Hart’s place and could be back in goal for Sunday’s clash with Swansea City in the Premier League.

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