Stuart Pearce has revealed he is prepared to block Sylvain Distin's departure from Manchester City.

The indications are Distin is going to snub a 4.5million move to Middlesbrough anyway after failing, so far, to agree personal terms with the Teesside outfit. However, even though the Blues' money men are not keen for Distin to enter the final year of his contract without an extention, Pearce knows his chances of finding a replacement are receding fast.

"The nearer it gets to the window being shut (August 31) and the less time I have to find a replacement, the more likely it is that I will turn round and say `we are not going to do business'," said Pearce.