Joe Hart: Pep Guardiola may play Manchester City goalkeeper in Champions League qualifier

The England goalkeeper has been confined to the sidelines so far this season

Hart faces an uncertain future under Guardiola (Getty)

Pep Guardiola is considering handing Joe Hart a first-team reprieve at Manchester City – for one night only against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League.

England goalkeeper Hart has been forced to watch from the substitutes’ bench so far this season with Guardiola selecting Willy Caballero in goal for City’s three games to date this campaign.

Hart, 29, is facing a bleak future at the Etihad Stadium with City expected to complete a deal for Barcelona ‘keeper Claudio Bravo in time for the Argentine to face West Ham United on Sunday.

But with City going into Wednesday’s play-off second-leg with a 5-0 advantage from last week’s first-leg in Romania, Guardiola admits Hart could play against Steaua.

“He (Hart) has a chance to play tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “Is it his last chance? I don’t know.

“I have an excellent relationship with Joe, me with him, him with me. We spoke about football (on the training ground).

“He has a chance, just like Willy or Angus (Gunn).”

Bravo’s imminent arrival in a £17m transfer is likely to force Hart closer to the exit door, with Caballero and England Under-21 keeper Gunn also at Guardiola’s disposal.

But with Bravo yet to sign on the dotted line for City, Guardiola refused to confirm that Hart would be allowed to leave the club.

“He is our player and until Aug 31, the players are our players and I work with them,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know about negotiations (with other clubs), if there have been any.

“Bravo? We cannot deny what everyone knows because Barcelona announced contact with City about 7-10 days ago.

“But until the deal is complete, I cannot talk about the player.”