Shay Given has told Joe Hart he has a future at Manchester City.

Hart has excelled on-loan at Birmingham City, having moved to St Andrews to get out of the shadow of Given.

But the City No1 told the Manchester Evening News: "Joe has done fantastic and on form alone he deserves to be playing for England - and if he keeps his form right until the end of the season there is no reason why he shouldn't play in the World Cup.

"That can only be good for Manchester City and for me as well. The competition has always been there since I joined the club.

"Just because Joe is at Birmingham doesn't mean I don't feel the competition from him. He is still a City player and is doing very well."