Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is confident that new signing Raheem Sterling will enjoy a successful first season at the Etihad Stadium.

After months of negotiations and speculation, Sterling eventually got his move away from Liverpool with City paying £49million for his services.

The transfer brought plenty of negative headlines with many Liverpool fans disappointed with his attitude in recent months.

However, Pellegrini is confident his new forward can forget about the bad press and hit the ground running in the first few weeks of the Premier League season.

The England international has reportedly impressed in training and Pellegrini believes he can prove he is worth the hefty price tag.

Pellegrini said: “He has settled in very well. He wants to come here, he wants to have new challenges. I don’t think he deserves criticism about that.

“He is working very well and it is easy for good players to settle in a good team. I think we are going to have a very successful player this year.”

Sterling is expected to start against West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, although Pellegrini is pondering his options for the opener.

Striker Sergio Aguero is still not 100 per cent fit with Wilfried Bony a possible replacement up top.

Pellegrini has also hinted that Sterling could be played through the middle after selling Stevan Jovetic, while Edin Dzeko moves closer to a move to Roma.

The Baggies are priced at 5.50 to win, while the draw is available at 4.00 with Dafabet. City are currently 1.70 favourites to pick up all three points but they may have their work cut out against Tony Pulis’ men in his first full season in charge at the Hawthorns.