Man City trio will stay - Pearce

Speculation has linked all three players with transfer-window moves but Pearce told the Manchester Evening News: "We want to keep the top players.

"We have not had enquiries and even if they came we would bat them away."

But Pearce admitted that midfielder Claudio Reyna and defender Danny Mills were both available for sale.

Pearce admitted he was finding it hard to strengthen his squad.

606: DEBATE
" "
GL

He said: "It's a difficult time trying to get the right people here.

"It would have been easier if we had a massive amount of money to spend but with the amounts we are talking about it is very difficult.

"We will keep plugging away and hopefully somewhere down the line we will get one or two fresh faces in here.

"I think this squad would flourish if I could bring in another three or four quality players but that luxury would cost £20m-£25m."

Richards has been linked with Chelsea, Barton with Newcastle and Distin with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Football on the BBC
Man City fans' views on 606
BBC Where I Live - Manchester City
Manchester weather
BBC Sport Premiership
Manchester City
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites