Manchester City make emergency goalkeeper request

[Biff]

If they get to sign a new keeper we better be allowed to sign a new striker to replace Torres!

Manchester City have asked the Premier League for permission to sign a goalkeeper on an emergency loan deal until the end of the season.

And BBC Sport understands the request is set to be granted, even though the transfer window closed on 1 February.

Shay Given will miss City's last three games after dislocating a shoulder in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday.

Stuart Taylor is also out and Joe Hart is on loan at Birmingham, which leaves only the inexperienced Gunnar Nielsen.

The Faroe Islands international had never played in the Premier League until the last 17 minutes of the draw at the Emirates, where Given had to leave the field on a stretcher.

However, manager Roberto Mancini has no back-up for Nielsen and cannot risk losing another goalkeeper at such a crucial stage as the club push for the fourth Champions League place.

Sixth-placed City cannot recall England international Hart under the terms of his season-long loan deal at St Andrew's, while former Arsenal keeper Taylor is still recovering from knee surgery.

Republic of Ireland international Given has been an integral figure between the posts for City since joining from Newcastle in February 2009.

His presence as City's number one keeper forced Hart, 23, to seek first-team opportunities outside of Eastlands.

Nielsen joined City in 2009 on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers after a loan spell with Blue Square Premier side Wrexham.

[Keane16]

Surely they must have a keeper further down the ranks they could use.

Tough shit i say.

[Biff]

Yeah, what's wrong with this Gunnar Nielsen? He can be the main keeper and they can get a reserve from the youth team. Either that or stick Lescott in there, he'll save everything with his massive spam head.

[Keane16]

I hear its pretty much been granted today aswell surely theres got to be somthing im missing here. We went for about 6 games earlier in the season without one recognizable centre half, which potentially has cost us the title. We ended up playing Carrick and Fletcher so they should be forced to make do with what they've got, shouldnt have loaned out all their backups should they.

[Biff]

Yeah it's not right. It doesn't matter if it's a keeper or an outfield player, especially when they have Gunnar Nielsen and can use and a youth team keeper as a sub. It looks like they are trying to get Hart back. If they are given permission it should have to be someone junior to Gunnar Nielsen.