Manchester City youngster Kelechi Iheanacho hopes to win the backing of manager Manuel Pellegrini in preseason.

The 18-year-old striker was an influential performer in City's 5-4 penalty shoot-out win against Roma.

“This season I hope to be at City. I've been training hard with them during pre-season and I hope this is the time for me to break into the first team" says the youngster.

“The manager has promised me nothing. He's just told me to keep working hard every day. So as yet I don't know what my chance is, but I pray that it will come soon.

“It was nice to get a goal, I feel good about it so I would like to play against Real Madrid now. It's great for me to play at this level. This is the very top.

“Last season, everything was okay but it was just about getting a work permit. Everything is sorted out, so I am able to play for City now."