Monday Oct 16 2006 11:25
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce plans to recall goalkeeper Nicky Weaver for next weekend's trip to Wigan Athletic, despite being impressed by Joe Hart's debut display.
The 19-year-old, a summer signing from Shrewsbury Town, kept a clean sheet as City played out a dismal goalless draw against Sheffield United at Eastlands on Saturday, and Pearce thought he showed genuine promise.
"Nicky strained his back in training on Thursday. He did everything he possibly could to get himself fit in time for Sheffield United and he was very disappointed that he has missed a game," the former England left-back told City's official website.
"He's not far from full fitness. It should only be a few days for him but the flipside of that is that Joe can be very proud of himself.
"There was just the one cross that slipped through his grasp, apart from that he was nice and sensible."
Pearce added: "He's a 19-year-old boy going out in front of 40,000 people - that's not easy.
"That experience and games like this will help him. We bought him because we feel that he has a bright future and the more games like that he gets under his belt, the better for him.
"Joe's been on the bench for every game this season, which is a bonus for him with the goalkeepers we have, but now he's made his debut, which is fantastic for him."
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