Euro 2016: Raheem Sterling turns to psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters in bid to cement an England starting spot

Sterling worked with Dr Peters at Liverpool and has relished the chance to work with him again since joining up with the England squad

Raheem Sterling has linked up with Dr Steve Peters since joining the England squad (Getty)

Raheem Sterling has turned to Dr Steve Peters, the sports psychiatrist, to improve his mental toughness ahead of Euro 2016 after seeing his England credentials hit by his record-breaking £49m move to Manchester City.

Sterling, 21, is expected to be confirmed in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad for the European Championships on Tuesday, with the England manager offering his public backing for the former Liverpool winger following his loss of form at club level towards the end of the season.

But after working with Peters during his time at Anfield - Peters was employed as a part-time member of former manager Brendan Rodgers’ staff - Sterling admits he has embraced the opportunity to benefit from Peters’ expertise once again with England after linking up with the national squad earlier this month.

“I feel alright,” Sterling said. “Really it has been about me getting in a positive mind-set with the staff here, Dr Steve Peters, and getting my mentality stronger.

“He has definitely helped me. I have been seeing him here with the national team. Most of the boys do.

“He just gets it into your head that mentality is key and a strong part of it is blocking certain things out and focusing singularly on your football.

“I have been working on that.”

After making an impressive start to his City career in the wake of his acrimonious transfer last summer, scoring five goals in his first eleven appearances, Sterling was unable to sustain his form at the Etihad Stadium and ended the campaign out of the team, with manager Manuel Pellegrini favouring Spain international Jesus Navas.

But despite the huge resources pumped into City’s new training ground and the support staff available to the players, Sterling, who set up both goals during England’s 2-1 win against Australia at Sunderland on Friday, admits he has missed the ability to work with Dr Peters since leaving Liverpool.

“He was with us at Liverpool and since I moved to City, I didn’t have a chance to work with him,” Sterling said.

“So since I joined up with England I have started speaking to him. It is a real bonus for me.

“The competition for places is really fierce. There are loads of players with ability here so no one can take anything for granted. That is one thing I am not doing.”