REPUBLIC OF IRELAND defender Alex Pearce has moved to Championship side Bristol City on loan for the rest of the season as he looks to boost his Euro 2016 chances.
The 27-year-old, who made his international debut against Oman in September 2012, only moved to Derby County during the summer but has found first-team opportunities difficult to come by.
He has yet to appear in the league for the Rams with his only appearances coming in the cup competitions.
Bristol’s interim manager John Pemberton was keen to bolster his defensive resources and admitted Pearce was the perfect fit.
“Alex will offer us experience; he knows this division inside out. He’s a good lad and a leader,” he told the club’s website.
“I hope he can share the load with Aden (Flint) and Nathan (Baker) and that’s important. I want to be able to give them a rest; Aden has played every game, every minute.
“When I spoke to Alex, it’s clear how desperate he is to get into the Ireland team for the Euros – if he does that then it means he will have played well for us.”
Pearce was on the bench for five of Ireland’s Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures but didn’t get a look in under Martin O’Neill.
Since his debut for the Boys in Green, he has won six caps but has been behind John O’Shea, Ciaran Clark and Richard Keogh in the pecking order.
