Pearce will have final say on Richards sale

The Manchester City manager, Stuart Pearce, maintains that he will have the final say over whether Micah Richards leaves Eastlands next month, despite rumours that England's newest international is off to Chelsea.

"If anyone is going to instigate a conversation about needing to sell someone in order to buy a few others, it will be me," Pearce said, adding that there has been no contact with Stamford Bridge.

Richards' team-mate Joey Barton, along with West Ham's Paul Konchesky, will sit out this weekend after they had appeals against last weekend's red cards rejected.

The Charlton manager, Alan Pardew, said that he is confident of signing the former Hearts defender Stephen Pressley. "What I like about him is that he is a leader," Pardew said.

Sweden defender Andreas Granqvist will join Wigan on loan until June. The 21-year-old was captain of Helsingborg, who finished fourth in the league last season.