Joe Hart has admitted that he and his Manchester City teammates have endured a "difficult year" as a result of their trophyless campaign.

The Citizens failed to replicate their achievements of last term, when they claimed a Premier League and League Cup double.

This afternoon's match against Southampton at the Etihad Stadium brings a close to City's troubled season, but Hart can reflect with a smile when looking back at his own personal performances.

"It's been a difficult year," talkSPORT quotes the Englishman as saying. "With the success of last year we wanted more of the same and the club expects more of the same.

"It's been a good year for me, quite a consistent year and I've enjoyed being a part of it, but I definitely would have enjoyed it a lot more if we had a trophy at the end of it."

City head into the final matchday sitting in second place in the table, eight points behind champions Chelsea.