Football
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Manchester City await Joe Hart injury news ahead of Southampton clash

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini remained positive despite a Champions League defeat at Juventus that proved costly in more ways than one as goalkeeper Joe Hart was substituted late on with an injury.

City were beaten 1-0 in Turin to lose control of Group D, slipping to second behind the Italians and facing the prospect of yet another tough draw in the last 16.

But even more worrying was an injury to England No. 1 Hart, who limped off with a hamstring problem after 81 minutes.

Hart later described the injury as "nothing -- a little bit tight'' but City are going to have to wait until they return home to learn the full extent of the issue.

If the 28-year-old misses the weekend clash with Southampton, he would join an injury list that currently includes Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta, Wilfried Bony, Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala.

Pellegrini said: "In this moment, it is impossible to know. He has a problem in his hamstring.

"He has been carrying some problem in his back the last week, so tomorrow we will see with the doctor which is the problem with Joe.''

Pellegrini also expects Kompany to be out for at least a fortnight with his calf problem while there is still no definitive news on Silva's ankle injury.

Pellegrini said: "Vincent doesn't have any chance to play this week because he's not started running already, so he has two weeks more.

"David improved a little bit more the last two days. He's working with the physio in Manchester. We will see. We don't have many days until Saturday but when we arrive in Manchester we will have a look.''

Pellegrini was upbeat about his team's performance despite the result allowing Juve to take over at the top.

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal but both sides spurned a host of other chances. Raheem Sterling, Yaya Toure and Fernandinho all missed good opportunities for City while Fernando had a header touched onto the post.

Pellegrini said: "It's a difficult moment for the team. That's why in this moment I am not so unhappy in the way we played because we didn't have many chances to make substitutions.

"I think we were very unlucky to lose this game -- I think the minimum we deserved was a draw. It's not an easy stadium, it's not an easy team, but we couldn't get the result we wanted.''

Pellegrini has not given up hope of reclaiming top spot, but his side must beat Borussia Monchengladbach and Juventus will need to lose at Sevilla.

"I think the group is not finished,'' he said.

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri is also taking nothing for granted in terms of the group, even though his side have guaranteed progress and now have a two-point advantage over City.

He said: "Mr. Pellegrini is right. There is still one match left. If we lose and they win they will go ahead. We have to be focused on the Italian championship now but then get ready for the game against Sevilla.''

The Italians were impressive on the night and Paulo Dybala twice went close to doubling the lead, being denied by Hart and a post.

Allegri said: "I think this was a match of several chances for both sides. This has been a great Champions League match with some very good play. We played extremely well to get this result.''

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