to miss the start of the English Premier League season.

The operation on a slight tear of the Manchester City striker's cartilage was described as "minor'', but Goater is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

City open their top-flight campaign with a visit to Charlton Athletic on August 19 -- in three-and-a-half weeks' time.

After recovering from the operation, Goater will need more time to work his way back to full fitness. The 29-goal leading scorer from last season's First Division promotion campaign may miss as many as three league matches.

City manager Joe Royle confirmed yesterday that the surgery had been straightforward.

"Shaun has had some work done,'' said Royle. "It's nothing major, just a tidy-up job, but he may be out for about three weeks.'' Goater has been hampered by a slight tear in the cartilage for several weeks, but aggravated the injury when making a tackle during City's 4-0 win over Linfield in Belfast last Saturday. He was flown back to Manchester on Monday.

HEALTH HTH