Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart was surprisingly left on the bench for the Premier League champions' clash at Hull on Saturday.

Hart had been rested for City's 7-0 League Cup victory over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, but he has often taken a break in that competition and was expected back in goal for the trip to the KC Stadium.

However, City manager Manuel Pellegrini opted to keep Argentine veteran Willy Caballero as his keeper against the Tigers, meaning England international Hart missed a Premier League fixture for the first time this season.

The 27-year-old was also axed by Pellegrini last season after a series of error-filled performances, but he returned to the starting line-up in time to help City win the English title.

Caballero joined City from Pellegrini's former club Malaga for £6 million ($9.7 million) in the close-season and if the 32-year-old impresses against Hull he could be in line for a Champions League debut against Roma next week.