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.

Given the continued uncertainty, Pearce could be forgiven for demanding an answer one way or another to give cash-strapped City a chance to get some kind of fee when the transfer window opens next month. However, the Blues boss has no intention of pressing him into a decision and hopes City perform with enough conviction over the rest of the season to convince the 29-year-old to stay.

“I have been speaking to Sylvain for the last 18 months and if it takes me until the last day of his contract to persuade him to stay that is fine,” Pearce said.

“When he told us he didn’t want to go to Middlesbrough I instantly looked upon that as giving me extra time to convince him he should follow the other top players who want to be part of this club.

“I honestly believe he will stay but we have to get enough positive results to make sure it happens.”