City tomorrow -- provided he can pass a fitness test.

Goater's fellow striker Paul Dickov is suspended for City's visit to West Ham, leaving a vacancy which would most likely be filled by the Bermudian.

And another forward, Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope, is also doubtful with a knee injury.

A groin strain suffered in last week's League Cup victory at Aston Villa prevented Goater from training up until yesterday and manager Joe Royle said he was keeping his options open for as long as possible.

Royle said yesterday: "At this stage I don't want to say anything about team selection because I am waiting to see how Shaun and Paulo are.

"They haven't trained this week and the rest of the squad probably think the two of them are fortunate because we have worked hard this week.'' If Goater gets the nod, he will continue the hunt for his first Premier League goal. He made his top-flight debut at Southampton on October 23, when he was brought on as a substitute, and also played at Arsenal.

Stoke City manager Gudjon Thordarson has denied rumours that his Bermudian striker Kyle Lightbourne is to be loaned out to another club.

New signing Rickhardur Dadason has started for Stoke in the past three games, with Lightbourne having to be content with a place on the bench, fuelling the speculation that the 31-year-old may be at least temporarily surplus to requirements.