Joe Hart has assured Manchester City fans their season will not go into meltdown following a wretched week in which the side lost 4-2 at Southampton and were dumped out of the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid.

City's longest-serving player is aware a third consecutive defeat — against Arsenal — on manager Manuel Pellegrini's final Etihad appearance could lead to the embarrassing prospect of Pep Guardiola taking over without Champions League football.

But the 29-year-old insisted: 'We are certainly not nervous about finishing outside the top four. We believe we can win the last two games and that will be enough.

Joe Hart has assured Manchester City fans their season will not go into meltdown following a wretched week

Hart conceded four goals last Sunday as Southampton romped to a 4-2 victory over City at St Mary's

The goalkeeper was on the losing side again on Wednesday night, as Gareth Bale and Real Madrid won 1-0

'The Arsenal match is important for us. It is important for me after the Bernabeu because I want to be involved in those kind of nights again.

'Simple as, we need to win on Sunday and the following Sunday at Swansea.'

Hart scoffed at the prospect that Pellegrini's impending departure would reduce his interest in where City finish.

'Manuel is a top manager, a top professional which he's shown throughout his whole tenure here,' insisted Hart.

'He will be ready to win the game with us on Sunday, he wants to finish as high as he can.

'He feels good about the club and I think he is fully aware that he will always have a place here.

'The lads were down for a day after [losing 1-0 in] Madrid but we have another important job so we dust ourselves down and are ready to go.'

Hart has enhanced his reputation in an otherwise inconsistent season for City and excelled in Europe.

Hart has stressed that his team have the self-belief and quality to finish in the Premier League top four

The keeper can only watch as Bale's shot deflects off Fernando and over him into the top corner during City's 1-0 defeat in the Bernabeu

Though incoming boss Guardiola has been linked with new goalkeepers, Hart has not been given any indication that his future is in doubt.

City gave him a bumper five-year contract last season knowing that his wages were not affordable for many other clubs.

Instead, England's No 1 is thriving in his role as a dressing-room leader at City.

'We're getting close to Europe's top teams, but not close enough,' he said.

'It wasn't the greatest Real Madrid team in history but we didn't do enough.

'I'm still trying to improve.

'I am still relatively young so I've got a lot more to give. I've got a role in this team and I like to be here when needed.

'The fans are another incentive for us against Arsenal.

'We have felt their presence all season.

'I know how difficult it is to travel all over the country, let alone Europe, in midweek when you've got jobs and families.

'It means everything to us to give them those trips again.'

While Hart has long-term plans at City, two other long-serving team-mates could be on their way.

Bale wheels away in celebration after the goal, which proved to be decisive in the semi-final encounter

Hart said ahead of the final two league games: 'We'e certainly not nervous about finishing outside the top four'

Pablo Zabaleta is understood to be considering his future and doubts also surround captain Vincent Kompany after he suffered the 33rd injury of his City career against Real.

Hart's support for the skipper is sincere and heartfelt, and he does not believe the Belgian is finished.

'He's a good man first and foremost. He is someone I think of highly personally as a friend and he is a top player and a leader for our club,' said the goalkeeper.

'He will get better, he will recover.

'He's got more scars than I've ever seen on anyone but he goes again.

'Football is a physical game and it is going to catch up. He's 30, but he'll be back.'

Hart, beaten by a deflected effort from Gareth Bale in midweek, will not face the world's most expensive player again until England meet Wales at Euro 2016 on June 16.

The pair embraced after a tense night in Madrid and Hart said: 'I like Gareth, I think a lot of him.

'He has done brilliantly and I am proud of what he's done from a Premier League point of view,' said Hart.

'We'll lock horns again in the summer in France — he's someone I enjoy playing against.'

KOMPANY SEES A SPECIALIST OVER INJURY WOES Vincent Kompany visited a specialist in Barcelona on Thursday in a bid to overcome groin and thigh injuries before Euro 2016. City’s Belgium defender attended a clinic headed by Dr Ramon Cugat, who works with the Spain national team. Advertisement