Pearce dreams of Dunne clones

Stuart Pearce believes there is “no doubt” he made the right decision about appointing Richard Dunne Manchester City captain in the summer and only regrets not having more players like him at Eastlands.

Dunne will lead his side out at Preston this weekend in what is being touted as a potential FA Cup fifth-round banana skin but manager Pearce has no doubt the Republic of Ireland defender is the right man to wear the armband.

“I wish I could get two more like him. I think he’s an outstanding man,” Pearce said on his club’s website, mcfc.co.uk.

Dunne, 27, became club captain at the start of the season after centre-back partner Sylvain Distin stalled on signing a new contract.

Pearce agonised over whether to switch skippers but is delighted with the outcome.

“I had to make a big, big call late summer to change captains, which wasn’t an easy decision for me,” he said.

“But, sitting here at this stage of the season, I’ve got that right, no doubt about that. He’s a top man and a he’s been a top player this year.”

Dunne has played every minute of every game this season as well as playing four internationals for his country and Pearce admits he is concerned his skipper is beginning to show signs of tiredness.

“Of course he does,” said Pearce, who insists he cannot risk resting his skipper.

“I can look at Micah Richards, who’s only missed one game, and say that he needs a bit of a break now. But we as a football club can’t afford the luxury of leaving anybody out that is deemed to be one of our frontline players.

“Richard comes into that category, Joey [Barton] does, Micah and Sylvain do as well. You’ve only got to pick a programme up to look at the players that have played 20-odd matches this year. If Richard is fit he plays. His form has been good and I’ve watched the game on Saturday live [Portsmouth] then viewed it again and you think ’Dunnie’s got that block in, Dunnie’s headed that one out of the box.’

“That’s why he’s the captain of the football club. His heart’s in the right place, he genuinely has a great feel for this club. The only fault that I’ve got is that I wish I could give him a rest because I wish I had another one.”