Pearce happy Distin will stay with City

STUART PEARCE is prepared to let Sylvain Distin leave Manchester City for nothing next summer rather than cash in on his star defender next month.

Distin’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, despite repeated pleas from Pearce, he has so far failed to sign a lucrative extension.

But having turned down a move to Middlesbrough in August, the stylish French defender followed up his stunning midweek goal at Aston Villa by dropping the broadest hint yet he could be prepared to follow the likes of Joey Barton, Richard Dunne and Micah Richards by committing his long-term future to the club.