Alex McLeish: 'Joe Hart can turn form around'

Alex McLeish has backed Joe Hart to turn around his form amid reports that he is set to be dropped from Manchester City's starting lineup this weekend.

The England goalkeeper has come under fire following a mix-up which gave Chelsea a late winner during their 2-1 win over City last Sunday.

McLeish, who managed Hart during his loan spell with Birmingham City during the 2009-10 season, told Sky Sports News: "I do believe that Joe will get over this. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Speculation is that [Manuel] Pellegrini might leave him out.

"[Costel] Pantilimon did really well the other night, made a great point-blank save at 0-0, took cross balls well, but I'm sure Joe will be bursting just to show everybody he can do it. Whether he gets a reprieve from Pellegrini remains to be seen.

"Certainly [England manager] Roy [Hodgson], in a team such as England's magnitude in world football, they wouldn't go, I don't think they would go, with a goalkeeper who's been out of his club football for a long period of time."

City face Norwich City tomorrow afternoon.