Pearce axes 10 in Blues clearout

STUART PEARCE has released 10 Manchester City players including loanees Kiki Musampa and Albert Riera and French defender David Sommeil.

Dutch midfielder Musampa returns to Atletico Madrid, with winger Riera heading back to Espanyol. Sommeil’s contract has expired.

Goalkeeper Geert de Vlieger and Danish defender Mikkel Bischoff were also released, along with reserve-team players, Tuomas Haapala, Ian Bennett, Karl Bermingham, Paul Collins and Michael Ward.

The decision to allow Riera leave rather than to tie him to a long-term deal will surprise many City fans impressed by his match performances on the left flank since arriving in January. Musampa’s spell in England has been inconsistent with only fleeting moments of brilliance.