Caballero: We need Hart to get back fit again quickly

Mark Holmes
Joe Hart: Will be a big miss, admits Manchester City stand-in goalkeeper

Joe Hart: Will be a big miss, admits Manchester City stand-in goalkeeper

Willy Caballero hopes to take the opportunity presented to him by Joe Hart’s injury but says Manchester City need their first-choice goalkeeper fit again soon.

Caballero, City’s second-choice goalkeeper, was forced into action on Sunday after Hart suffered a calf injury in Sunday’s costly 1-0 derby defeat to Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.

It was the Argentine’s first taste of action since his penalty shoot-out heroics in the Capital One Cup final last month and, with Hart potentially out for up to four weeks, there is likely to be more.

The 34-year-old, signed from Manuel Pellegrini’s former club Malaga two years ago, said: “When I came here I knew what was going to be my situation.

“But I came to play, so if I have the opportunity I try to take it and keep it. I try to do my best. I had opportunities in the cup and I have been training really well, so I think I am ready.”

Despite Caballero’s confidence, he admits Hart’s absence over the next month is a serious blow as City battle to hang onto fourth position in the Premier League and face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“I hope he recovers soon,” Caballero said. “We need him in this team because he is our first keeper. It is really important to be fit soon.”

Caballero: A sad weekend for Man City

The Hart injury blow compounded City’s problems on what was a dismal afternoon. City also lost forward Raheem Sterling to a groin injury early in the game while United’s victory lifted them within a point of their neighbours, and alongside West Ham, in what is now a tight battle for fourth.

United teenager Marcus Rashford scored the only goal after 16 minutes, beating error-prone defender Martin Demichelis all ends up in the process.

Demichelis, 35, endured a torrid time as he returned to the starting line-up because of injuries to Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi. He was lucky to escape conceding a penalty following a clumsy challenge on Rashford and it was his underhit backpass that played Hart into trouble and led to him injuring his calf. He was hauled off by Pellegrini after 53 tortuous minutes.

The only positives City could cling to were the second-half rally which provided a number of chances for Sergio Aguero – whose closest effort was a header against the post – and the fact they can now regroup during an international break.

Hart and Sterling are likely to join Kompany on the sidelines for the next month but the recess could at least allow Kevin De Bruyne, Samir Nasri and Fabian Delph to step up their recoveries via friendly matches.

Caballero said: “We are disappointed because we played well in the second half. We had a lot of situations, but we couldn’t equalise, so it is a really sad weekend, and also for the injuries. It is really hard to lose one or two players again.

“We are in the fourth position and we need to keep it. We try to go forward but we need a good result in the next game. We need to try to focus in our team, in our way to play to get results and I think the only way to do it is as in the second half.”