Hart fears axe! England and City spots under threat after latest howler

Joe Hart is battling to keep his place for club and country after a series of high-profile blunders.

The Manchester City keeper is set to be replaced by Costel Pantilimon for the Capital One Cup tie against Newcastle on Wednesday.

And he will also come under pressure for his country next month with head coach Roy Hodgson set to blood Fraser Forster against Chile.

Let down: A downcast Joe Hart trudges back to his goal after conceding against Chelsea

Standing out: The keeper was back in training at Carrington on Monday in a bobble hat

Distraction: Hart seemed to be trying to put Sunday's misery behind him

Hart’s slip gifted title rivals Chelsea victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and left City six points off leaders Arsenal.

Hart, 26, has made more than 100 appearances for City in the Barclays Premier League, but this is the toughest period of his career at the very highest level.

Pantilimon played in the previous Capital One Cup round in the 5-0 home win over Wigan.

City manager Manuel Pellegrini refused to say he had total confidence in the England keeper after his error let Fernando Torres score Chelsea’s 89th-minute winner.

Gifting the winner: Hart rushed off his line but didn't communicate his intentions with Matija Nastasic

Agony: The mistake allowed Fernando Torres to score in the last minute

City’s next Barclays Premier League fixture is against Norwich on Saturday at the City of Manchester Stadium and Hart is no longer guaranteed to start.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini was furious with his keeper after City slid to their third defeat on the road in the Premier League.

Hart’s position will finally be tested with England next month when Hodgson gives opportunities to Celtic keeper Forster, though this is not a knee-jerk reaction to Hart’s latest high-profile error. Forster will make his England debut during the game against Chile on November 15.

Anger: Hart was as infuriated with the mistake as all his team-mates

Options: Roy Hodgson is to give Celtic keeper Fraser Forster a run out for England against Chile

Four days later England play Germany at Wembley, and Hodgson is likely to pick his strongest team. 

England’s head coach has previously admitted that he has not given other keepers enough chances.

He still rates Hart as one of the best keepers around but wants to blood some alternatives before the World Cup, and the games are already running out.
Since Hodgson replaced Fabio Capello as England head coach in May 2012, Jack Butland, John Ruddy and Ben Foster have played only 45 minutes each.
Meanwhile, City are considering a move for Malaga keeper Willy Caballero in the summer as they seek improved back-up to Hart.

Blunder: Hart was at fault against Scotland when James Morrison's shot went straight through him

Transfer window: Malaga's Willy Caballero is being lined up by Manchester City as Hart's replacement