Business as usual for Wright-Phillips

Shaun Wright-Phillips returned for pre-season training with Manchester City today with huge confusion still surrounding his future.

A big-money offer from Chelsea for the England winger had been expected by now, but as yet, City have received no bid.

Although they have pledged to fight any advance from the Stamford Bridge outfit, it is widely accepted the Blues could be tempted by anything over £20m (€29.2m) as chairman John Wardle looks to reduced the club’s £62m (€90.6m) debt.

The uncertainty is playing havoc with Stuart Pearce’s rebuilding plans as the former England skipper has no idea what budget he is working to.

If Wright-Phillips stays, Pearce knows he will be forced to delve into the bargain basement, as predecessor Kevin Keegan did during his last few months in charge.

However, should City sell, their manager is likely to be handed at least half the cash to fill the massive void Wright-Phillips’ departure would leave.

Despite trawling Europe searching for new recruits, Pearce’s only summer signing has been to tie Dutch winger Kiki Musampa down on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid.

Pearce has made a tentative inquiry for Everton striker Marcus Bent, although Robbie Keane remains on his list of potential bigger-name targets, as does seemingly Liverpool-bound front-man Peter Crouch.

At some stage, the Blues boss must bring players in because his squad is woefully lacking in numbers.

Midfield flop Christian Negouai has left for Standard Liege after a disastrous three-and-a-half years at the club following his £1.5m (€2.3m) arrival from Charleroi, while defender Mikkel Bischoff seems set for a move to Cardiff.

While neither of that pair had any long-term future at Eastlands, with Steve McManaman, Paul Bosvelt, Jon Macken and Kevin Ellegaard also leaving during the summer, and Nedum Onouha and Nicky Weaver already ruled out through injury, Pearce has few options available with the Barclays Premiership opener with West Brom just over five weeks away.

However, Pearce, who received some good news when long-term absentees Jihai Sun, Trevor Sinclair and Geert de Vlieger reported for training this morning, has vowed to remain calm.

“We have a great nucleus here but we need to add to that and we will keep trying until the last day of August if necessary,” Pearce told www.mcfc.co.uk.

“There is a concern we need to bring in fresh faces but the financial situation at the club demands that we look all over the place for players and the job is more difficult than if I was able to splash the cash.

“Working in football management and with the Bosman ruling, you have to be working 12 months in advance but I don’t have that luxury at the moment.”