Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has admitted that the club cannot afford a slow start to next season's Premier League.

Pellegrini, whose side are currently on a pre-season tour of Asia, open their league campaign at home to Newcastle United on August 19.

"It's important to make a quick start and to win the first league game, because if you lose ground it's difficult to recover," the 59-year-old told reporters at a press conference.

"The English Premier League is a different league than I have worked with before, but I'm not concerned about that.

"Of course it's always good to have more time but I hope the team will be prepared for the season ahead."

City finished nine points adrift of champions Manchester United last term.