Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has declared he has faith in third-choice goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen as his side's quest for Champions League qualification enters a critical final phase.

City are set to be without Shay Given for the rest of the season after the Republic of International was carried off during the second half of the goalless draw at Arsenal on Saturday with a dislocated shoulder.

Given was replaced by Faroe Islands international Nielsen, who was making his City and Premier League debut.

The 23-year-old newcomer made a number of saves as City moved to within a point of fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur, who had lost at Manchester United earlier in the day.

City are at home to Spurs, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs, next month, in between next weekend's home game with Aston Villa and a final day trip to West Ham.

Second-choice goalkekeeper Stuart Taylor has been out for a month with a knee injury.

Meanwhile City may have to investigate whether they can recall England goalkeeper Joe Hart from his season-long loan at Birmingham.

"Shay's injury will be a problem," Mancini said. "It's not good for us because Shay is a fantastic goalkeeper. He is important to us, but in football you can always get injured.

"Shay is in hospital, but we have ten days and must play three big games. Gunnar came on and did very well. Stuart is still some way off and everyone must be 200 percent now," the Italian added.

Saturday's match at the Emirates Stadium saw the return of City striker Emmanuel Adebayor.