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

PUBLISHED: 22:54, 28 October 2013 | UPDATED: 07:51, 29 October 2013

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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.

VIDEO Scroll down to watch Joe Hart and Fraser Forster vying for England number 1

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.

Fraser Forster and Joe Hart training for England

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

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mista chris, midlands, 14 minutes ago

Any actual direct quotes in this article or just DM journalism?

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rizz, los faden, 26 minutes ago

City would become Hartless. Has Peg made a beeline for next window transfer? They would have a measure of his mind with that and City should try Luiz who is versatile. Otherwise, they are still outsiders to a Euro final. Chelsea shouldn't worry much cause Willian is a lucky buy. Is he a seeing celeb?

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greavsie, derby, Algeria, 28 minutes ago

I am a Chelsea fan and although I think Joe's mistake was diabolical, so was Cech's in letting City score. He should have been 2-3 yards further forward in which case he would probably have saved the shot.

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Robbo, Huddersfield - England, 28 minutes ago

I wouldn't give him the axe he would probably drop it...

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greavsie, derby, Algeria, 31 minutes ago

This was a big howler by Joe but why do keepers get such blame when the opposition score. Usually, and in this case, it is the defence that are at fault by letting Chelsea escape their grasp and leaving him badly exposed to an equally at fault defender. I am a Chelsea fan but I was equally angry at the way Cech let in City's goal. He was very badly positioned and should have been another 2-3 yards off his line in which case he would have saved the shot.

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Browni63, Utopia - uk, 34 minutes ago

Good he can now concentrate on his dandruff career!

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Gloverboyy, Manchester, England, 41 minutes ago

Keep it real. A top goalie who's dropped some clangers. A suspect pairing of centre halfs in front have upset the apple cart. City to sort that by keeping Kompany fit, Hart finds confidence then all's well once more. An optimistic viewpoint!!

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TFIminMalta, Rabbat, Malta, 55 minutes ago

Hart was a great goal keeper until he started getting cocky and then big headed,he should learn to keep his head on his shoulders

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alan, Kent, 59 minutes ago

He has one good season and he is the best we have yet Forster of Celtic plays well every week and is a better keeper than Hart but doesn't even get picked as a stand in, seems to be its who you play for not how good you are where England are concerned.