CITY HONOUR HART BEFORE KEEPER’S ETIHAD RETURN

JOE HART was at Manchester City yesterday for a ceremony ahead of a first return since his summer departure. Hart will wear a Burnley shirt tomorrow but was invited to his old club’s training ground for a celebration of his 12-year spell at the Etihad. City have named a training pitch after Hart, 31 (below), and presented him with a mosaic to commemorate his service and five major trophies, including the club’s first League title since 1968. The artwork will stand at the entrance of an area for goalkeepers at the City Football Academy. Hart was denied an emotional send-off at the Etihad akin to those enjoyed by Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta, but City wanted to mark his achievements. ‘I am sure he will get a fantastic reception when he walks out on Saturday,’ defender Aymeric Laporte said.