quarter-final clash with Ipswich Town tonight are rated no better than 50-50.

The Bermudian striker netted his first goal in the Premiership during Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Everton at Maine Road, but he was forced to come off shortly after with an injured groin.

It was a bitter blow for Goater who was trying to cement his position up front with Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope, after recovering from a lengthy lay-off.

The player damaged his knee during a pre-season match in Ireland and he missed several matches as City got their top flight return underway.

Goater scored in the previous round of the Worthington Cup against First Division Wimbledon and boss, Joe Royle, said he was prepared to wait until almost the 11th hour before fully ruling him out tonight.

"Shaun is 50-50 at best,'' Royle said at the end of a rain-lashed training session yesterday. "He has a record of recovering well from injuries so we will give him until tomorrow to recover.'' The manager said his worries weren't confined to Goater as he looked to pick his squad for the clash with third-placed Ispwich, who scored a stunning victory over Liverpool at the weekend.

"Alfie Haaland, Jeff Whitley and Shaun Wright-Phillips didn't train,'' he said. "But I am pretty sure that Alfie and Jeff will come through OK.

"Spencer Prior comes back along with Danny Granville, while Chris Killen will be added to the squad if Shaun Goater doesn't make it.''