Pep Guardiola will wait until the end of the season before making a decision on his long-term goalkeeper, but Joe Hart's Manchester City career would appear to be over.

Willy Caballero now seems to be Guardiola's number one after starting City's last three Premier League games and the Champions League victory over Monaco.

He has replaced Claudio Bravo, who has struggled since his £17m move from Barcelona in the summer and could take on the role as the domestic cup keeper.

The Chilean started the goalless FA Cup fifth-round draw with Huddersfield Town, although Guardiola says he has not yet decided who will start Wednesday night's replay at the Etihad.

But the uncertainty poses a long-term question over who will be the City keeper next season, with Caballero among six players out of contract in the summer along with Yaya Toure, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas and Bacary Sagna.

"I will decide about that at the end of the season," Guardiola told a news conference. "I trust a lot in both and we'll decide -- not just the goalkeepers, the midfielders, wingers, strikers, full-backs -- we are going to decide at the end of the season."

Asked about a new contract for Caballero, he added: "We'll think about that but we'll make the decision at the end of the season. They have to try to keep going, to convince me every day.

"There are five, six players out of contract but they know the situation. Of course there is a risk, maybe they can sign a contract for another club and we have to accept that. But we are going to decide in the last months of the season."

But there would seem to be no way back for Hart, who was allowed to leave on a season-long loan for Italian club Torino in August.

Asked if the England keeper could return as the No. 1 next season, Guardiola said: "I'm so happy with Willy and Claudio."

Meanwhile, Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho could be in line for a recall for the game against Huddersfield. The 20-year-old hasn't featured for Guardiola's side since Jan. 15 following the arrival of Gabriel Jesus.

The City boss admits it has been tough for Iheanacho but has praised his attitude in training.

"Kelechi now isn't playing for the last games. It's a pity for him because he's another guy -- all the African guys I train in my life always they are amazing how they are like professionals in the training sessions," Guardiola said.

"But I like normally one striker, not two. Of course, when Sergio [Aguero] was injured, players play the game. But then Gabriel came and Sergio didn't play, so the space is what it is. But it is going to happen this situation with Gabriel so Sergio can't play all the games and, of course, he [Iheanacho] is going to help us.

"I know his quality. I know, of course, he's young and has a lot of things to improve -- especially in winning duels and be strong in some positions.

"But he's a guy who, in the boxes, is really good. He likes to come a little bit out of the box to play, but arriving at the right tempo and attacking the first post is amazing. So, as a guy, he doesn't need many, many chances to score a goal."

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Jonathan Smith

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