Nigel Pearson delivers verdict as Bristol City striker weighs up retirement decision

Nigel Pearson says that Nahki Wells will be the one to decide whether he continues playing for Bermuda as the Bristol City striker contemplates stepping back from international duty.

The first international break of 2023 saw the 32-year-old head to the North Atlantic Ocean to represent his native homeland in their CONCACAF Nations League matches. He featured in a frustrating 2-0 defeat to Guyana and opted not to play against Haiti, which meant a sooner return to the High-Performance Centre.

Before lining up against Guayana, Wells spoke with the local press The Royal Gazette about standing back from the national team. He is not considering officially retiring, but instead only being available should his country require him for an important fixture. Wells, unlike most of the players who went away, had to travel to a different continent and mainly plays alongside players of an amateur or semi-professional standard.

Wells, who signed a two-year deal with the club before the turn of the New Year, wants to focus on his club career and admitted that stepping back from international duty could prolong his career in England. The former Burnley forward had a difficult 12 months last season, playing second fiddle to Chris Martin and Antoine Semenyo, but his patience has been rewarded and he is now one of the first names on the team sheet. He has managed to persuade Pearson to keep him and earn a new deal but has not yet sought the advice of his club manager on whether he should quit Bermuda.

"No," responded Pearson when asked if Wells had sought his advice about his decision on whether or not he would continue playing international football.

"He’ll know himself. I asked him whether he was retiring and he said no. It’s all there is to it. He’s a player who is relatively low maintenance for us."

Wells’ international career will now have to take a back seat as he and the Robins play their final few matches of the 2022/23 Championship season. He currently leads the way in the top scorer charts at the club with 11 goals in all competitions, with his last coming from the spot against Hull City in late February.

The experienced forward is two goals ahead of Tommy Conway, who is available for selection this weekend after a two month lay-off because of a hamstring tendon injury. Scotland Under-21 international Conway is a good friend of Wells given the time they spent together in the Under-21’s last season but will now be competing for the honour of scoring the most goals for the club this campaign.

Pearson added: "He still has a huge appetite and enthusiasm to train well and play well. I think he and Tommy for instance will want to finish this season as top scorers. It’s another nice incentive that we have players who although they get on very well, have competition."