Pearce offers trial to Palmason

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has offered a one-week trial to Icelandic youngster Palmi Rafn Palmason.

The 20-year-old midfielder is part of the KA Akureyri squad coached by Toddy Orlygsson, a former team-mate of Pearce at Nottingham Forest.

Although KA were relegated from Iceland's top flight last term, Palmason impressed sufficiently for Orlygsson to tip Pearce off.

The player will fly into Manchester to start his trial on Monday.

Pearce, who is expected to be appointed as permanent successor to Kevin Keegan in the summer, has already stated his desire to add depth to his squad.

"We need to add four or five to the squad," he said.

"Any Premiership club is permanently looking to evolve, and we need new faces purely to put players' positions under threat."

Pearce has already been informed there will be little cash available to fund his recruitment drive - although Palmason, who has previously had trials with Stoke and Arsenal, would cost only a nominal fee.