others when the soccer spotlight falls on Manchester, England this weekend.

It's derby day in the north-west of the country with the Blues of City set to take on the Reds of United in the English Premiership.

The clash at Maine Road brings Goater's career almost a full circle -- he started out with Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils, before moving on to the lower leagues and Rotherham United, Bristol City and finally Manchester City, becoming a cult figure during the Blues Second and First Division promotion campaigns.

Saturday would signal arguably the biggest day in the Bermudian hitman's professional career -- but injury is threatening to cast a shadow across the event.

Goater was injured in a pre-season match in Ireland and only recently made his comeback.

That was in the 2-0 victory over Southampton at the Dell in which he played the final 15 minutes.

He has played since but a recurrence of the injury forced him out of the squad for last weekend's game with West Ham United.

Boss Joe Royle set Goater a deadline of yesterday to resume training with the rest of the team, but so far he has only had a limited workout.

The 30-year-old had a light session with coach Willie Donachie yesterday, prompting Royle to say that at best Goater would get a place on the bench.

"Shaun did some one on one this morning with Willie who said he is looking a lot better, so we will take a closer look at him on Friday. But I would say at this stage he is unlikely to start,'' Royle said.

Strike partner Paulo Wanchope is set to begin the game, so long as he returns from Costa Rica's World Cup qualifier without any problems and diminutive forward Shaun Wright-Phillips will be included in the squad.

City have won only four of the last 35 derbies against United and pundits are not predicting a shock at the weekend.

United, the richest club in the world, have won eight of their last nine games, are through to the second phase of the Champions League, and are two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the league.

City, meanwhile. are heading in the opposite direction. The Blues have lost their last three league games and are sliding towards relegation.

But former City favourite and England international Colin Bell, a big name in the 1970s, said derby games could be unpredictable.

"The derbies are a great leveller,'' said Bell, "I admit on paper at this moment in time, United will be red-hot favourites as they should be.'' nursing tender hamstrings.

Meanwhile City have decided not to sign Chilean international striker Seb Rozental after a trial at Maine Road.

The Glasgow Rangers forward, currently on loan at Argentine club Independiente, flew into England earlier this week for a four-day trial.

But Royle said yesterday: "He's got talent -- but taking the whole package into consideration, we won't be taking it any further.''