Pearce will not shed any tears for City

Stuart Pearce is determined to send Manchester City into the First Division.

The former England defender is expected to return to the West Ham line-up at Maine Road tomorrow after serving a three-match suspension.

West Ham still need points to secure their Premiership safety while City will be relegated if they lose.

Pearce said: "I am desperate to win a game. If we win, we are safe and that will put City down. I certainly know if we get a result I wouldn't shed a tear for Manchester City. But at the end of the day I don't expect anyone to shed a tear for me or West Ham. If we don't win any of our last three games I'll be very disappointed."

Manager Harry Redknapp will make a late decision on the fitness of Joe Cole (hamstring), Freddie Kanoute (hip) and Igor Stimac (hamstring).

City have picked up four points from their last two games against Manchester United and Leicester.

But they have struggled because of their poor home form - 11 Premiership defeats at Maine Road tells its own story. City manager Joe Royle said: "If we don't beat West Ham it is all over. We have to make sure we take three points."

Goalkeeper Carlo Nash is expected to retain his place with transfer-listed former Hammer Paulo Wanchope ready to continue up front.