West Brom v Manchester City: Aguero and Silva back to health

Manuel Pellegrini has enjoyed the twin boost of a new contract and his attacking spearhead returning to fitness ahead of Manchester City's Premier League opener at West Brom.

Pellegrini's position as manager at the Etihad Stadium came under scrutiny during the second half of last season as City's title defence subsided badly.

"Aguero is working at 100 per cent and so is Silva – Nasri is just returning," he said.

Pellegrini had been expected to hold back Aguero, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and Fernandinho from the season opener following their exploits in the Copa America, but last weekend's chastening 4-2 friendly defeat to Stuttgart appears to have forced a rethink.

Raheem Sterling could join Aguero and Silva in a fluid three-man forward line, although the England attacker's fellow close-season recruit Fabian Delph will miss out due to a hamstring injury.

On Sterling, Pellegrini added: "[He has been] very, very good.

"The media have been talking about the price, but he's an English player, young, with quality, speed and technical ability. He will improve every year playing with the likes of Yaya [Toure], Silva, Kun [Aguero], they will help him."

Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry joined West Brom on loan on Friday to become Tony Pulis' fourth major close-season signing.

Fellow wideman James McClean could supply the ammunition to Rickie Lambert, who ended a lacklustre spell with hometown club Liverpool and will hope to form a formidable forward partnership with last season's Albion top scorer Saido Berahino.