Guardiola backs Sterling to deliver plenty of goals for Man City this season

England forward Sterling shone in wider attacking roles in the last campaign and could get a run in the central positions this term.

The 22-year-old came off the bench to score City's equaliser in Monday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton on Monday and also went close with a couple of other opportunities.

Sterling also netted in three of City's four pre-season games and City boss Guardiola wants to see more of that finishing ability.

Guardiola, who recently criticised his team for not taking enough of their chances, said: "In the pre-season last season Raheem played all the time out wide and this season, since the pre-season game against Real Madrid, in the second half, he has played more as a number 10, behind the striker.

"He is so dangerous in that position. I like him to sit there closer to the middle because he commits the central defenders. He is so aggressive in the small spaces. That is good.

"He scored a goal. In the last four or five games, he scored a goal per game.

"Hopefully the goal he scored in the last game can help his confidence. He can say, 'I'm going to score a goal'."