Pearce has had the luxury of having capable stand-ins during Distin's absence, and the team's excellent start to the season means he does not have to take a risk by rushing Distin back too soon.
"Sometimes it's easier when results are going well, you can afford not to rush players," Pearce told the City website.
"One thing I have said to the physios from the offset is make sure when players come back to me they are right, I don't think I've ever put pressure on the physios to rush players back. I need players coming back to me fully fit rather than half-fit.
"Stephen Jordan's been at centre-half, Nedum Onuoha played last Saturday, so we have got options if Sylvain's not available but he is a big player for us."