Joe Hart, who is still to sign a new deal tying him to City, and Kasper Schmeichel are aware that no-one is guaranteed a place in City's starting line-up.

And that competition will soon get tougher with boss Mark Hughes determined to bring in another experienced goalkeeper.

If Aston Villa are successful in landing Blackburn's Brad Friedel, it will not halt Hughes' search for an additional last line of defence.

Hughes is keen to add to his keeping corps following the departure of Sweden No1 Andreas Isaksson who moved to PSV Eindhoven in Holland after the Euro 2008 Championships.

It leaves England's most recent international graduate, 21-year-old Hart and Denmark Under-21 star Schmeichel holding the fort.

Hughes said: "We have lost an experienced goalkeeper and if we can get the right quality in then we will be looking to add some additional know-how in that department.

"I think it is very important," stressed the manager as the side left for Germany and tomorrow's friendly with Bundesliga outfit Hamburg.

"Such a signing will help the development of the very good young players we have at the club. We should have experienced cover.

"All Premier League clubs carry three keepers and that's what we are looking to do. It is a case of seeing who is out there and if we can bring in the right person."