Manuel Pellegrini certain of Raheem Sterling improvement

Manuel Pellegrini has claimed that Raheem Sterling's supporting cast at Manchester City will help him justify his £49m pricetag.

The jet-heeled winger, 20, left Liverpool for the Sky Blues in July, before missing a one-on-one during his debut in Monday's 3-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.

With the aid of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez, Sterling netted 21 times in his final two years at Anfield, but with a richer source of quality at Eastlands, Pellegrini expects the youngster to thrive.

"It is always important for young players to play with good players who can improve them, the same way he did with Luis Suarez or Gerrard for Liverpool," he is quoted as saying in The Daily Mail.

"Here he will play David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, with players that will make him improve in a lot of ways. Young players always learn from important players. It is very important for them to play with him.

"I think last year he scored 11 in all competitions. I am sure this season he will improve."

Sterling is expected to start Sunday's clash with Premier League champions Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.