Ex-Liverpool ace Raheem Sterling is strong enough to beat the boo boys

RAHEEM STERLING has been backed to turn on the style for Manchester City.

The £49m summer signing from Liverpool makes his Premier League debut for City at West Brom tonight.

Sterling has faced hostility from fans wherever he has played since voicing his desire to quit Liverpool last season - even when on England duty in Ireland in June.

But new team-mate Fernandinho says Sterling will be inspired by the flak.

"I think Raheem is a strong character with the right personality," he said.

"I remember seeing him in an interview talking about his determination to win trophies and I'm sure he will be able to manage the situation."

TOUGH: The abuse will only make Sterling more determined to succeed

Boss Manuel Pellegrini has also hit back at criticism of Sterling's handling of his controversial exit from Anfield and the price City paid for him.

He said: "He wanted to come here. He wants new challenges and I don't think he deserves to be criticised for that.

"He has settled in and has been working well. I think we are going to have a very successful player this year.

"How good can he be? Very, very good. I have a lot of confidence in him. Maybe a lot of people are talking about the price we paid for him.

"But he is an England international, still only 20, with so much quality, with speed and good technically, that he will improve every year."

He believes Sterling will flourish playing alongside Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Yaya Toure.

"Playing with players like Yaya, Silva and Kun will help him to improve," he said.

"I have a lot of trust in him. And you will see Raheem scoring a lot more goals than he scored for Liverpool."