Barton has been suspended for the rest of the season while Dabo is also out of contention as he recovers from facial injuries that required hospital treatment.
But Pearce has been pleased with the response from the rest of the City squad and believes they will put in a solid performance on Saturday.
"I am sure the rest of the players will react very professionally," he said.
"There will be no negative response. The way the squad have handled everything has been a credit to themselves. I am sure they are galvanised by it."
Barton is expected to be axed in the summer and has already been linked with a move to Celtic, but Pearce will not comment about Barton's future until the summer.
"The matter is now the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing," he said.
"The board will be involved, as will myself, and we will deal with it after the season ends."