Joe Hart: Manchester City goalkeeper dropped by Pep Guardiola for Sunderland meeting

Willy Caballero was preferred to the 29-year-old goalkeeper in the starting line-up

Hart during the warm-up before City's opener against Sunderland (Getty)

Joe Hart was left out of Pep Guardiola’s first competitive Manchester City starting line-up for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper’s starting place had been rumoured to be under threat following the arrival of Guardiola, who is keen for his ‘stopper to distribute the ball with his feet.

Guardiola, who has previously enjoyed success with ball-playing ‘keepers at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, selected Willy Caballero to start in Hart’s place.

Yaya Touré, who is believed to be available for selection, is not included in City's matchday squad.

When asked about Hart’s position on Friday, the 45-year-old Catalan offered little assurance to his ‘keeper.

"Joe is comfortable (with his feet),” Guardiola said. “He has quality and he can do that -- with time.

“I'm not saying he's not able to do it. Maybe there are other goalkeepers with more quality of that, but Joe, with training, can do it. With time.

“But his time is now. It's not about what happens in six months, seven months.”

"Joe is a goalkeeper and, with a goalkeeper, I talk to him 'here is the ball at your feet' and about what the has to do, rather than what he has to do with his hands. We have had a chat about that.”

Manchester City XI to face Sunderland: Caballero, Sagna, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Fernandinho, Silva, Nolito, De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero

Substitutes: Hart, Zabaleta, Fernando, Navas, Delph, Otamendi, Iheanacho