Pearce not off to Stoke

Pearce had been linked with the vacant post at the Britannia Stadium after saying last week that this would be probably his last season at City.

Stoke could well have been the ideal club for Pearce to cut his teeth in the managerial game but it would appear that the potteries side are interested in a more experienced man, namely ex Ipswich boss George Burly.

Stoke's chief executive Jonathan Fuller said. "There is no truth in the rumours that Stuart Pearce was at the ground yesterday and he is not in the running."

Pearce still intends to leave Maine Road when a suitable job offer does land on his desk.