Manchester City ace Cole Palmer has admitted this season has been "tough" for him after making less than 20 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side.
The 20-year-old, who came through the ranks at City, has made 19 appearances in all competitions this term, registering one goal against Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals. However, despite impressing when called upon last campaign, Palmer is yet to start a Premier League match.
Palmer - who has made five starts this season - is widely regarded as one of the most promising prospects in the English system. However, he has made just three substitute appearances since being named in the starting line-up for the Carabao Cup defeat at Southampton in January.
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"The season has been tough, I’m not going to lie," Palmer told the Daily Mail. "When you’re not playing it does affect you. When I’ve played this season, I don’t think I’ve played to the ability I could have. I don’t really have any complaints to be honest.
"Maybe when I have played, I’ve been trying that bit too hard to try and do something. Maybe I was putting too much pressure on myself, that when I did get the opportunity thinking, 'right, I’ve got to do something here' so I can have a chance of staying in the team.
"It’s been frustrating but I’m not one to stop. The coaches believe in me and they’ve told me that. It’s up to me to prove my ability."
Despite his lack of action in recent months, Palmer is keen to force his way into Guardiola's side in the final few months of the campaign. Given that Phil Foden is set to be sidelined for a number of weeks after surgery to remove his appendix, he could potentially get an opportunity to play.
Palmer added: "In training you have to do more than you’re doing. You can’t just do the bare minimum and expect to play. I’ve got to do more and more. I’m at one of the best teams in the world, with the best players, so I try not to get too down.
"All of the lads have given me advice. Riyad (Mahrez) is the one I look up to the most. He’s 12 years older than me, he’s telling me all the information. I’m always next to him in training. If you go in there and not listen, you’ll just drown."
Palmer has made 32 first-team appearances for the Blues since coming through the ranks at the Etihad Stadium, registering four goals and one assist.
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