Alan Shearer has warned Raheem Sterling he cannot afford to underperform if he wants to play regularly at Manchester City.
Sterling has had a below-par season at City and has faced competition from the likes of Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez for a starting spot in Pep Guardiola's side.
Shearer believes the amount of quality in City's squad means no player can expect to be in the starting line-up if they are out of form.
Speaking on the BBC, the Premier League legend says Sterling now faces a huge ask to win back his role as a key player for City.
He said: "He’s missed the last three Champions League games, he’s only started four of the last 11 games.
"When you’re not hitting the heights in this Manchester City team, then you’ve got other players to come in and do the job.
"Look at the job Foden is doing - that’s one of the reasons Sterling isn’t getting in. His numbers aren’t bad this season, nine goals, but they don’t compare to how good he’s been in the past.
"He’s improved his scoring massively, he’s never been a natural, but what he has improved hugely on is his positioning around the six-yard box, the number of times we see him get into that position at the far post.
"There was an interview Pep did after the Southampton game that I think was perhaps aimed at Raheem where he was saying, because he’s got most of his players fit, if they’re not going to be at it, there’s not going to be a place in that team.
"Maybe something was said in the dressing room.
"He's got to work hard and earn his chance to get back in the team."
He added: "It's a huge challenge for him and that's what happens at this football club now, if you're not at it then the manager can leave you out and bring someone else in."
