Joe gives City heart for big test in Paris

Joe Hart will return for Manchester City as they measure their Champions League progress against Paris Saint–Germain.

England goalkeeper Hart has made a quicker than expected recovery from a calf injury and is set to feature in the first leg of City’s last–eight tie at the Parc des Princes.

“Joe has worked without any problems in the last days,” said manager Manuel Pellegrini. “Of course you always have a risk, especially when you are coming back from an injury, but we made all the medical tests with Joe and he doesn’t have any problems to play.”

Hart’s return will bolster confidence in a back line that is again missing captain Vincent Kompany through injury. They will need to be on their mettle as they face a powerful PSG side spearheaded by the irrepressible Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Sweden striker has scored 30 goals in 26 league games and four more in the Champions League this season, but City defender Eliaquim Mangala is confident he can stand up to the challenge.

The 25–year–old France international, who is returning to his home city, said: “I respect PSG, I respect Zlatan, Edinson Cavani and Angel di Maria, but I’m not scared of them.”

Mangala himself has had a troubled campaign, albeit one affected by hamstring injuries, and is still to live up to the £42million fee City paid for him in 2015.

The match is City’s first appearance in the Champions League quarter–finals and also provides an interesting measurement of their progress against another club operating on a similar model.