Pearce told City’s website: “I am pleased with Bernardo over the last few weeks. He was a little unsettled during the recent transfer window with a bit of speculation over what he might do, but the window shutting has really focused him.
“I’ve seen a good upturn in his form, not just in the matches but he has impressed me on the training pitch. We hope he maintains that and if he does so he stays in the team.”