Manager Mark Hughes is keen to tie up the England goalkeeper on a long-term deal and negotiations are under way.

While Hart is keen to stay at Eastlands, he believes there is a bigger picture to address now the club has been the subject of a £200million takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group.

As he prepared to face Liverpool at home tomorrow in the Premier League, he said: "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.

"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."

Hughes said: "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.

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

Hart, who learned his trade at League Two Shrewsbury, is a keen student of his art.

He said: "That ability to concentrate is what makes the great goalkeepers. I am learning and watching the best ones.

"Petr Cech and Edwin van der Sar often have very little to do - but what they do, they do very well. I need to add that to my game.

"I admire Pepe (Jose) Reina at Liverpool as well. He makes great saves, keeps it tight and keeps clean sheets.

"It is hard to fault any goalkeeper in the Premier League. There's always something to learn from them, there's always something you can improve on."

Liverpool go into the match hoping to extend their 11-match unbeaten run but Hart wants City to set down a marker.

Under Hughes they are making strides with a place in the group stages of the UEFA Cup now secured.

Hart said: "Playing Liverpool gives the lads a chance to show what they can do. We enjoy every game.

"I am looking forward to testing myself against them but I'll be just as happy if I'm completely unemployed and we win 1-0 on Sunday."