Mancini hopes to retain Given-Fifa.com

Mancini hopes to retain Given-Fifa.com

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini will fight to keep Shay Given at the club, admitting that Joe Hart will remain his first-choice goalkeeper "for now".

Hart fully justified his selection at White Hart Lane as big-spending City somehow survived a first-half onslaught to head back to Eastlands with a goalless draw. But that will be no consolation to Republic of Ireland star Given, who revealed last week he would consider quitting the club if he lost his place in goal.

The Italian refused to reveal what he would do were a rival club to bid for Given before the transfer window closes. "I hope it doesn't arrive. I hope that Shay can stay here with us," said the Italian, who confirmed Hart would be his number one "for now".

"We have time, another 20 days, until the end of the market. I respect every decision but I hope that Shay stays here." He added: "At this moment, Joe plays. Because we have four competitions, we need Shay.

"I'm sorry for one goalkeeper but today I chose Joe and I'm very happy to have Shay Given. I spoke to him. He's a big name, he's a big goalkeeper, he respects my decision."

Hart produced a string of wonder-saves from Jermain Defoe, Tom Huddlestone and Benoit Assou-Ekotto to keep Spurs at bay. City, who handed debuts to three of their summer signings, improved immeasurably after the break, allowing Mancini to shrug off their first-half malaise.

"I think that this point here, after the first half, is a good signal for us," he said. "I think that we must improve but we're missing four, five players. I think that we need three or four weeks together."

He added: "Tottenham played with the same team they played last year. For us, it's different, and Tottenham is a good team. I think in the second half we improved our play."

Harry Redknapp was left to rue Hart's inspired display. "I couldn't have asked any more from the players," said the Spurs boss, before aiming another dig at the timing of this week's friendly internationals.

"We came out, did everything we worked on yesterday morning - in the hour that we had with the players this week. We were determined to press all over the park and that's what we did.

"When we won possession, I thought we moved the ball about with great style and created lots of chances. Their keeper was fantastic and some days it goes like that."