Former Shrewsbury Town goalkeeper Joe Hart could be sent out on loan next season by Manchester City – but is still tipped for England stardom by boss Mark Hughes.

The 21-year-old was a surprise omission from Fabio Capello’s national squad for the forthcoming matches against Slovakia and Ukraine.

But with Hart having lost his first team shirt at Eastlands since the £6m arrival of Shay Given from Newcastle United, perhaps his omission was inevitable.

However, boss Hughes has now moved to re-assure the ex-Meole Brace School student that he still has a prominent part to play in his future plans for big spending City.

“It is important Joe knows our feelings with regard to his ability,” the City chief declared.

“Joe is going to be England’s outstanding goalkeeper for the next 10 or 15 years.

“But it is right that we have been able to take him out of the fire, allow him to step back and see where he is in his career.

“It is different with outfield players, because you can keep taking them out and putting them back in.

“You can’t do that with a goalkeeper, and there are too many examples of young lads who have ended up burnt out and scarred and never recovered.

Education

“I don’t want that to happen with Joe.”

Hughes revealed a loan for Hart was on the agenda for next season – but only to help further his education.

The City boss admitted that signing a more experienced No 1 had been high on his agenda, but was quick to insist that was no reflection on Hart’s abilities.

“I said at the outset we needed an experienced goalkeeper,” recalled Hughes.

“I made an offer for Brad Friedel and, even though nothing happened, I still felt we needed more experience because Joe was bound to suffer fluctuations in form.

“The opportunity with Shay presented itself, and you have to move.

“Initially, Joe found it very difficult.

“But he has got his head down now and knows he has to work.

“We can then look at him going out on loan next season – because we want him to develop, and maybe just training day after day is not what he will need,” added boss Hughes.