Pearce plans to keep Cole fresh

STUART PEARCE is ready to wrap Andy Cole in cotton wool to ensure he is fresh enough to spearhead Manchester City's bid for Europe.

For the second successive Saturday, Cole rifled home City's winner, catapulting them into the Premiership's top two behind Chelsea.

These are early days and much sterner tests lie ahead, not least the trip to Old Trafford after the international break, but already Pearce's boys look set to go one better than last year and clinch a UEFA Cup spot.