Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has calmed rumours, saying that Sweden World Cup goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson will not be sold.

“Andreas is not leaving this club,” he said.

After suffering a foot break in the very first week since arriving at City from Rennes in the summer, the 25-year-old Isaksson has not been included in a single first-team game for the Citizens so far.

While he was just about recovering, the £2million signing was then wrecked by a knee ligament damage. In December, however, Isaksson made his debut as a substitute against Manchester United.

Also the form Nicky Weaver has been this season, the former Juventus goalie Isaksson has been relegated to bench although he had arrived at City with the expectations of becoming Pearce’s No 1 shot-stopper.

“The only reason Andreas is not playing is Nicky’s form,” outlined Pearce.

But Pearce, believes he will get his chance and will show his worth too.

“He is staying for the duration of his contract and, by that point, I am sure that he will have proved what quality I brought to the Premiership when I signed him. He is too good a goalkeeper not to.”

“When he first came and joined us in the summer the training was a bit tougher than he was used to.”

“But now the goalkeeping coach comes to me every day and says ‘he is ready’. He has been telling me that for two or three months.”