Joe Hart Injury: Updates on Manchester City Star's Status and Return

Goalkeeper Joe Hart was named in Manchester City's starting lineup for the Champions League encounter with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday, per the club.

The Englishman missed City's loss to Tottenham Hotspur through injury, as detailed by manager Manuel Pellegrini and relayed by Squawka News on Sept. 26: "Joe Hart has an injury problem during the week. That's why he isn't playing. It's better not to take a risk." 

England's No. 1 has overcome major criticism to establish himself as City's first-choice 'keeper. Pellegrini dropped the former Shrewsbury Town stopper during the 2013-14 season after he made a string of high-profile errors, most notably handing Fernando Torres the winning goal when City faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Costel Pantilimon took his place then, but Hart slowly worked himself back into a position of power. Pantilimon joined Sunderland at the start of last season, with Willy Caballero coming in to battle it out with Hart for the spot between the City sticks. Hart has prevailed so far and was rewarded with a new long-term contract in December 2014.

Caballero failed to impress against Spurs; the former Malaga man doesn't possess the same presence as Hart and has yet to prove himself as a leader of City's defence.