McLeish keen to keep Hart

Posted Thursday, March 04, 2010 by PA

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has told Joe Hart "his time will come" with England despite the young goalkeeper being overlooked for the friendly international against Egypt at Wembley.

McLeish is still hoping to sign Hart on loan from Manchester City for another season after predicting Shay Given will remain number one at Eastlands for the "next two to three years."

"It is up to Fabio Capello. Joe will probably be disappointed he didn't feature but Capello is a top coach and I don't think anyone can question his decisions," McLeish said. "Joe is only 22, he is young, and Fabio will probably go for experience in the World Cup."

He added: "The jump to international level is enormous and one little error for any player and you are scrutinised to massive levels.

"It is early days for Joe but his progress is fantastic. He should be proud of that. He doesn't have to be too disappointed about not featuring with England at the moment. I am sure his time will come."

As regards keeping Hart for another season, McLeish said: "City won't be happy about me talking publicly about this but Joe has been tremendous.

"We want to keep him, we'd like to see him stay for another season. He wants to stay. City are his club, in terms of the ownership of the contract, and we respect that.

"But we hope at some stage that City can give us a bit of goodwill. They have a top class keeper in Shay Given and, unless someone comes in with a ridiculous offer for Given, you can see him staying at the helm with City for the next two or three years.

"It would have to a loan deal because City have said under no circumstances will they sell Joe."

McLeish is hoping striker James McFadden will be fit for Saturday's FA Cup clash at Portsmouth despite suffering a groin injury which kept him out of Scotland's clash with the Czech Republic.