Pearson set to cut 'top heavy' squad down to size

As Adam Pearson starts to put plans into place to cull the 40 man squad at the KC Stadium, the newspapers are already drawing up a list of potential candidates who look set to leave in the January transfer window.

With City in desperate need to lower their £40 million wage bill, one of the highest in the Premier league for what has been very little gain; Pearson is set to wield the axe having been appointed as City Chairman officially yesterday.

Those plans already appear to be in motion, with George Boateng one of the highest paid on the endangered list. However, the Dutchman has already shown a resilience to leave, rejecting the possibility of a loan to Ipswich Town yesterday.

Other high profile casualties` look to include Daniel Cousin, Peter Halmosi, Bernard Mendy and Richard Garcia - the latter already alerting the interest of several hometown clubs in Australia. Defensive flop Ibrahima Sonko, who was signed on loan from Stoke City hours before the transfer window closed in September, could be on his way back to the Brittania if City can terminate the player`s loan early in a further bid to cut an escalating wage bill.

Whilst emphasising the club will not have to sell players "they want to keep hold of" it is inevitable that a large number will leave in January before any incoming players will be signed.

New Chairman Pearson is also launching a full investigation into the club`s transfer dealings during Paul Duffen`s reign - and in particular that of Jimmy Bullard. The £5 million record signing, who joined on a four and a half year deal on wages of £50,000 per week also cost City agents fees of £550,000 for what has amounted to a return of less than 90 minutes since January.

With the official line being that Bullard is still ruled out through injury, Pearson will be looking for answers as to why such a risk was taken on a player with a known injury record.

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