Joe Hart sympathetic to Shay Given's injury plight

11 April 2012

Joe Hart has revealed he feels "devastated" for Shay Given after his Manchester City team-mate suffered a season-ending injury at the weekend.

Given will see two specialists in the next 72 hours after dislocating his left shoulder in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Hart, currently on loan at Birmingham from City, expressed his concern for Given who damaged ligaments and tendons.

"I am devastated for Shay," Hart told www.mcfc.co.uk. "I texted him on Saturday.

"I do not want that to happen to anyone, especially someone like him - a great keeper and really good person.

"All I can do is wish him a speedy recovery and that he is back between the sticks again as soon as possible."

With Given set to miss the remaining three games of the season, City have a goalkeeping dilemma in their bid for fourth place.

Reports today suggested the club have asked the Premier League for permission to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season.

Certainly a move to bring Hart back to the club appears off the agenda, with Birmingham manager Alex McLeish insisting Hart will see out the Blues' last two games.

McLeish said: "Joe Hart is staying for the rest of the season. We have had no contact with Manchester City."

Faroe Islands international Gunnar Nielsen is first in line to step in for the rest of the campaign, with Academy player Loris Karius providing back-up.

Nielsen stepped up for the closing stages against Arsenal for his first taste of league football in this country.

He was drafted in ahead of Stuart Taylor, who is still not fit after a knee operation, and David Gonzalez, who is suffering from a groin injury.

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