Raheem Sterling insists he would never complain about his playing time at Manchester City.

The England winger has fallen down the pecking order at Etihad Stadium in recent months, and has admitted he would be open to leaving the club.

But Sterling says he won't cut a dejected figure despite his playing time being reduced.

Asked how he has dealt with a lack of regular minutes, the 26-year-old said at the Financial Times Business of Sport US summit in New York: "I'm not a person that's going to complain. I've not tried to make it a bigger deal than it actually is. I get on with my work. Do what I need to do. And I'm just raring to go. Playing football matches regularly. Scoring goals regularly.

"From a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life. When I play football that is where I get my happiness from. And, of course, with family as well but football for me has a special place in my heart.

"With everything that comes with football, money, being able to do nice things … at the end of the day, if football for me is not at a certain standard I'm not really at my happiest. If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself."