CITY will explore bringing in an experienced, back-up goalkeeper on temporary loan as cover for Kasper Schmeichel.

Injuries to England international Joe Hart and third choice Richard Martin have left the Blues with only the youth team's Tobias Johansen as an alternative to Schmeichel.

If the Blues are either denied an emergency deal by the authorities or cannot find the right quality of keeper, then 18-year-old Norwegian Johansen will be on the bench against Arsenal at the weekend.

Boss Mark Hughes is, however, content that in 22-year-old Schmeichel the Blues have a more than decent back-up for Hart, who limped out of the 2-2 draw at Hull last Sunday.

"We have looked at an emergency loan to cover Kasper's situation. If we can get someone to come on the bench then that is what we will do," he said.

"We will see what is out there and what quality we can bring in on a short-term basis.

Deal

"Firstly we have to make sure we have permission from the authorities to do a deal outside the transfer window."

While Hughes seeks to bring in cover, he will be cheered by the news that Hart's ankle injury that cruelly cost him a place with England in Germany last night, is perhaps not as bad as first anticipated.

"It is likely to keep him out for two to three weeks but it is not as bad as feared," he said.

"These types of injury usually improve quite markedly very quickly but it is always the last 10 per cent that drags on a bit.

"The positive news is, however, that the injury is better than we originally thought because we were concerned there might have been ligament damage.

"It is unfortunate for Joe but I thought Kasper came in and showed a lot of confidence at Hull. He settled everybody down after we had given away a bad goal.

"He looked very assured and I have no qualms about putting Kasper into the side; he has done it before and will be fine.

"I know he played against United and Arsenal last season and excelled in both games. He is a confident young man and probably feels a little bit aggrieved that he has not been playing anyway because he has that confidence in his ability.

Self-confidence

"It will not faze him that's for sure because self-confidence is one of his strengths."

Schmeichel played seven times in the Premier League last season, managing four clean sheets including one against United at Eastlands.

He is ready to take his chance but admits he feels sympathy for his friend and rival Hart.

"I felt ready when I came on, but I'm gutted for Joe," he said.

"He's been flying of late, and then all of a sudden that happens. It's a real kick in the teeth and I feel for him.

"It just seems typical of our luck at the moment. When things are not going for you, they really don't go for you, so we have just got to dig in.

"We're doing everything right in training, we're working hard but we're not getting the rub of the green."