News Round-Up

The Middleton-born striker, 27, who scored just once in 16 league starts last season, has one year left on his contract and the recently-relegated Eagles reckon now is the time to pounce.

- Meanwhile, City have been linked with a loan deal for regular Argentina international Andres D’Alessandro.

The 24-year-old midfielder has not had the best of times since moving to Germany with Wolfsburg for £6m last summer and could be available on a season-long loan.

- Bradley Wright-Phillips has been chosen for England U20 squad for the prestigious Toulon Tournament next month. England play Tunisia on June 2, and South Korea on June 4.

- Lee Croft (1 year) and Stephen Jordan (2 year) have agreed new deals.

“They are working here at a good football club with a manager that will give them the opportunity to shine,” Stuart Pearce told the City website.

“I think that in some ways I have demonstrated to them that they have a lot of hard work to do and I have told them that.

“But if they keep banging away and they get into the side and do well, they will stay there it is as simple as that.”

- Pearce has confirmed that Steve McManaman will leave City when his 2-year deal expires this summer.

“I had a quick chat with Steve as the season ended and he is basically going away on holiday for a break from football,” he told the City website.

“He will decide then where his future lies from there really, but it is not here.

“Obviously I haven’t used him in my time in charge but credit to him and Paul Bosvelt because they knew their contracts were coming to an end,” he added.

“But they conducted themselves fantastically well and they were excellent professionals to have around the place. They added to what we are building around this club.”

- Elsewhere, City are continuing talks with Atletico Madrid over the permanent transfer of Kiki Musampa, goalkeeper Kevin Stuhr-Ellegaard has been released and Pearce has told Mikkel Bischoff that he'll be given the chance to impress during pre-season.