“Of course, it is not an ideal situation, but I will respect their contracts. I will be clear what will be the solution. If all four stay here, the best solution is for everybody to be involved in our idea. They are going to be involved in our idea.

“They are going to be used in rotation. So if Joe, Willy and Angus stay, then it won’t be the same one who is always on the bench.

“Maybe they go into rotation to find a solution - the best for us and them. They need to play. The situation is not easy right now.”

Everton are likely to make a late bid for Hart and Sunderland are also interested following an injury to their first choice Vito Mannone, but both clubs feel the £7m fee they have been quoted to loan him is not a fair price for a player City no longer want.