Joe Hart to Return for Manchester City Against Viktoria Plzen

Joe Hart will come in from the Manchester City wilderness on Wednesday after manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed the keeper will start against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.

Hart lost his place to Costel Pantilimon following a series of high-profile blunders.

Pantilimon has kept three clean sheets in five games since taking over the keeper’s jersey, but Hart will get the chance to impress his manager in the Champions League.

"Joe Hart will play on Wednesday," ESPN’s Richard Jolly quotes City boss Pellegrini as saying.

City are already through to the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition, which allows Pellegrini the chance to shuffle his pack.

Pellegrini’s side will head into the game in fine form following a 6-0 mauling of Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.

Reflecting on the win, in an interview with the club’s official website, Pellegrini said:

"

It’s not normal to win by six goals against a strong team like Tottenham. I think today we played really well, not just attacking but defending.

Spurs have very important players in attack, so to not concede is very good.

We have scored 26 goals in six games at home but I am more happy at the way we play as a team—a balanced team in attack and defence.

"

The win is City’s sixth on the spin at home, but questions are still being asked about their away form.

City have lost four of their six games on the road, but Pellegrini is confident his side can turn that around.

Per the club’s website, Pellegrini said:

"

The problem is away but I repeat: I don’t think we play so different away from home.

I am absolutely sure that if we continue the way we are we will start to see results away.

I am absolutely sure we’ve had bad luck playing away this season. If you review all of the games, this team is not playing badly away.

"