RAHEEM Sterling’s agent last night denied the star was in his Mercedes when it crashed and was left with laughing gas canisters by the front seat.
It is believed the Manchester City ace had lent the £125,000 car to a friend, and a worried source warned: “Raheem needs to think about who he hangs around with.”
The 155mph Merc was left on a London street after the crash. Its bonnet was crumpled and both airbags had activated, suggesting the impact was at speed.
It was taken to Manchester for repair. The car was pictured outside a garage in Middleton, with blue nitrous oxide canisters visible in a front seat footwell.
Sterling, 20, set to make his Man City debut tonight after a £49million move from Liverpool, was not in the car when the accident happened, his agent said.
A source said: “The Merc was in London for days after the smash — it was just left on the street. Raheem wasn’t in the car at the time, he was training in Manchester. It looks like he lent it to a mate.
“Raheem needs to think about whether he’s hanging around with the right kind of people, especially as he is such a high-profile star.”
Sterling has twice been caught allegedly inhaling laughing gas.
He was filmed sucking on a balloon before giggling and passing out as pals looked on at his home in April. Weeks later the £200,000-a-week England midfielder was caught on camera again apparently inhaling gas on a yacht in Ibiza.
Nitrous oxide, which makes users feel relaxed, euphoric and giggly, is not illegal.
But it has been linked to 17 UK deaths in five years, and doctors warn it can cause problems including blindness.