Fowler's injury agony

Stuart Pearce has revealed that Robbie Fowler is no closer to a first team return.

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce has revealed that Robbie Fowler is no closer to making a full first team return.

Fowler, 30, had been troubled by a back injury throughout the club's pre-season but appeared to have recovered sufficiently to take part in two reserve games earlier this month and saw first team action as a late substitute against Manchester United.

However the former Liverpool and Leeds striker has succeeded only in aggravating the problem further leaving Pearce to seek help from a specialist.

"Robbie's back is not as good as we would like it, so he will have to see a specialist and get it diagnosed from there," Pearce said.

"He did come back and play a couple of reserve games but he is not totally happy with it.

"He has a lot of discomfort and he can't train. Having him half fit is no good to him or me, so we are reviewing the situation."

Fowler's contract expires at the end of the season with the former England striker effectively playing for his future, but Pearce is looking forward to being able to call on the striker's services once more.

"At some point he will come back pain free," he added.

"It would be easy for me to tell Robbie to keep going and assure him everything will be okay.

"I have enough good players in my squad, so I have the opportunity to pull Robbie out and get him back pain free."

Fowler's continued absence leaves Pearce hoping Andy Cole can recover from a hamstring injury in time to face former club Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday.

Cole was absent from City's shock loss to Doncaster in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.