Pearce to follow up on Palmason

Prospective Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has vowed to maintain his interest in Palmi Rafn Palmason with a visit to Iceland to see him in action next month.

The 20-year-old midfielder spent last week on trial with the Blues following a recommendation from Pearce's former Nottingham Forest team-mate Toddy Orlygsson.

While Pearce had no chance to assess the KA Akureyri player in competitive action because his visit fell outside the transfer window, Palmason impressed in training.

And now Pearce, who is expected to be confirmed as Kevin Keegan's permanent successor within a week of the final Premiership game of the campaign against Middlesbrough on May 15, is planning to fly north to see Palmason on club duty.

"Palmi has done reasonably well and I fully intend to have a look at him playing for his club," said the former England skipper.

"We only had him here for a week and while that gives us a baseline idea, we haven't been able to play him in a competitive match.

"I am not going to just look at him and discard him. The Icelandic season will be in full swing next month and that gives me the opportunity to watch him."

Having suffered the agony of relegation with KA last term, Palmason would no doubt welcome the opportunity of a move to the Premiership.

Previously on trial at Stoke and Arsenal, the player is unlikely to cost City anything more than a nominal fee, a major advantage as Pearce has already admitted he is likely to be working with a minimal transfer budget if he is offered his first full-time management post.