CITY chief John Wardle has plunged his hands deep into his pockets to finance a last-gasp visit to the January sales.

The Blues' chairman gave the go-ahead last week for boss Stuart Pearce to up the stakes in terms of finding a striker who will help secure Premiership status ahead of next season's colossal television money windfall.

And the manager is confident that there will be new faces at the Carrington training ground come Thursday morning.

"As the transfer window has gone on, the chairman has loosened up some of his own finance. It's money that wasn't available at the start of it," said Pearce.

"All credit to John, he is drawing not on club money but his own finance but the rules remain the same because we are still trying to do good, sound business as I don't want to flit away his money, that is not right. I know if I pay over odds for one player then it will impact on future deals because the money will not be there.

Value

"Wherever the money is coming from, we want value for it. Even the likes of Chelsea have indicated that they want more value and we are no different."

Spurs' Egyptian striker Mido remains Pearce's No1 striker target with Marlon Harewood and Bobby Zamora at West Ham and possibly Portsmouth frontman Lomano LuaLua also on the Pearce wish-list.

Former Charlton full-back Paul Konchesky, now at West Ham, is another potential buy with Wardle and Alistair Mackintosh yesterday in detailed discussion with as many as five agents and clubs simultaneously.

"It is has been a very busy time for us and we have been disappointed about one or two bids but given optimism on others," declared Pearce as he prepared for a hectic scramble ahead of tonight's midnight deadline.

"There is still all to play for and I believe the closing hours of the window will be frantic for most clubs in the Premiership.

Price

"What we will not do is pay way over the odds for someone just for the sake of it.

"Chief executive, Alistair Mackintosh, asks me what price I think a certain player will be and I give a band that he should be in and anything beyond that is just not worth it."

éHis job is then to try and negotiate within that range.

éWe know who we want but we cannot stamp our feet and scream about it if other clubs donét want to sell.

éIn that situation we have to look for someone else or wait until they do come available.é

The transfer window has taken precedence over the wrangle between City, the FA and Pearce about his possible involvement with the England Under-21 side.

It seems clear now that will not be decided until later in the week.

Who should City go for? Have your say.