Joey Barton's contract talks with Manchester City have been put on hold until the summer.

The fiery midfielder, who is suspended for Sunday's Premiership match with Sunderland following his red card at Liverpool last weekend, had a deadline-day transfer request rejected after City refused to match his £40,000-a-week demands.

Barton subsequently admitted he had acted hastily and, following his man-of-the-match display in last month's home win over Charlton, indicated he was close to committing his future to the Eastlands outfit.

Despite minor tweaks to the initial offer, Barton's deal remains unsigned and talks between his representatives and City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh earlier this week failed to reach a suitable conclusion.

No more negotiations are planned until the season is over, heightening speculation Barton could eventually leave even though his present contract does not expire until 2007.

Despite announcing half-year profits of £16.8million on Tuesday, manager Stuart Pearce has admitted City would be forced to seriously consider any big-money offer for the player.

But, having lost Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea last summer, Pearce is loathe to lose yet another home-grown star - and the former England skipper does not believe Barton wants to leave either.

"Deep down I think Joey wants to stay," said Pearce. "The sticking point is the valuation. If, at any point, Joey comes to me and asks if the offer is still there I would say yes. But, as things stand at the moment, we will be talking again until the summer.

"In a sense, it is not a problem because Joey is contracted to us for another season after this one. But, if somewhere down the line we get an acceptable offer for a player that allows me to spend the money on a someone I deem slightly better we have to address that. It is the same situation which applies to any player at the club.

"I want Joey to stay and we hope he does. Time will tell on that one."