Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is eager for a quick start to their Premier League campaign.

Pellegrini is hoping they will still be in good shape for the start of their league season on Monday, August 19 when City play host to Newcastle at the Etihad.

He said: "It's important to make a quick start and to win the first league game because, if you lose ground, it is difficult to recover.

"The English Premier League is a different league than what I have worked with before - but I am not concerned about that.

"Of course it is always good to have more time but I hope the team will be prepared.

"I don't know who will start the final on Saturday - but I'll try to play all the players and give them a similar number of minutes on the pitch."