Steed Malbranque has not ruled out playing again after one of the most confusing periods of his career.

The French midfielder left Sunderland this summer and joined Ligue 1 side St Etienne, only to leave last week amid initial reports he needed to care for his ill son.

Malbranque then moved to deny those rumours, revealing he did not have a son, with St Etienne then confirming he had left the club by mutual consent.

It was thought his playing days were over as a result, but the 31-year-old yesterday said he has not yet decided what his next move is going to be.

‘‘I never said that,'' he said, referring to suggestions he was retiring. ‘‘The club said that. I am still hesitant. I cannot put myself in the future.''

With no ill family members to speak of, Malbranque's decision to walk out on Les Verts so soon into his contract remains an unusual one.

‘‘I did not take pleasure in training. I tried to be happy but I could not,'' he said.

He has not ruled out a return to England, where he spent ten years with Fulham, Tottenham and latterly Sunderland, adding: ‘‘England probably suited me better.''

Manchester City will make former England defender Wayne Bridge available for loan to Championship clubs.

He does not feature in manager Roberto Mancini's plans but remains a City player after no prospective move materialised before last week's transfer deadline.

Bridge spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham and another temporary move is still a possibility with a loan window for Football League clubs open.

Another player down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium is defender Nedum Onuoha. The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Sunderland but a proposed move to Everton for this term collapsed last week.

Onuoha could still have a role to play in terms of helping City meet minimum homegrown player regulations but the player is still likely to move on sooner or later.

* The kick-off time of Sunderland's home game with Stoke next Sunday has been changed to 3pm from 1pm.