Hart happy to reprise City loan

Goalkeeper Joe Hart has revealed he would be the open to the idea of returning to Birmingham City on loan next season.

Hart, 22, has been in impressive form since joining the Blues on a season-long loan last summer from Manchester City.

The former England Under-21 keeper was allowed to leave Eastlands on a temporary basis following big-spending City's acquisition of Shay Given 12 months ago.

Blues boss Alex McLeish recently failed with an approach to sign Hart on a permanent basis, but the player himself has now revealed that he could be tempted to return to St Andrew's on loan next term should he remain behind Given in the City pecking order.

"My situation is out there on the pitch," he told the Birmingham Mail.

"That's all I've come to Birmingham to do, play football here until the end of the season. Whatever happens, happens.

"Would I come back for another season? I'm not going to rule anything out. It's exciting stuff and it's nice to be wanted, obviously after what I had last year.

"Shay Given is a great goalie. I think him, Brad Friedel, David James and Edwin van der Sar have been the best in the Premier League. They are the people I look up to. I can't see it changing for a while.

"It's up to Manchester City what they do, but I don't look too far in the future."

City reject Birmingham Hart bid

Birmingham have failed with an approach to Manchester City to sign on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old shot-stopper has taken the plaudits following his form since joining the Blues on a season-long loan from City in August.

First-team opportunities at the big-spending Eastlands club had dried up following their signing of Shay Given from Newcastle United 12 months ago.

Hart is being mentioned as possible member of England's World Cup squad for South Africa and McLeish approached City over retaining the keeper on a full-time basis.

However, he is still held in high esteem by City and they have no intention of letting the former Shrewsbury Town youngster move on during the transfer window.

"City will take Joe Hart back at the end of the season," McLeish told The Guardian.

"There is no chance of us signing him in January. We asked the question and they said that won't happen. We never had an option from City to buy him.

"He has the comfort of knowing City really want him and he is part of their future."

However, McLeish is not giving up hope of being able to re-sign Hart for next season.

He added: "Joe Hart remains a big part of the future. But you couldn't rule out that Joe stays with us in the summer.

"They said he was going out for experience to improve and he has improved.

"It doesn't preclude him from coming back and we can negotiate with City for another year."