Raheem Sterling named Premier League player of the month for November four days after ‘racial abuse’

The 24-year-old has told police that he was racially abused during Manchester City's defeat against Chelsea on Saturday

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling has been named the Premier League’s player of the month for November.

Sterling has been recognised for contributing three goals and three assists in just three Premier League appearances in November, scoring twice in City’s 6-1 rout of Southampton and playing a key role in their convincing victories against rivals Manchester United and West Ham.

The award also comes a matter of days after Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were investigating footage that allegedly showed Sterling being racially abused by a Blues supporter during City’s 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Colin Wing, the Chelsea supporter identified as allegedly being the one who directed the abuse at Sterling, denies using a racial insult towards the 24-year-old but he, along with three other fans, have been suspended by the club from attending games “pending further investigations” into the incident.

Sterling has confirmed to police that he heard racist abuse from the stands as he retrieved the ball from the Stamford Bridge byline, and in a post on Instagram on Sunday the England international also accused English newspapers of fuelling racial tensions with an unfair and negative portrayal of black footballers in their coverage.

It is the second time that Sterling has received the award, with the first coming back in August 2016 during manager Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge of City.

Sterling has registered eight goals and six assists in 13 Premier League appearances this season to help City to second in the table, one point behind leaders Liverpool.