Shaun Goater believes Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan may have to become the loan arranger if he is to fill the void alongside the Bermudian left by the injured Paulo Wanchope.

Wanchope is likely to be absent from the City line-up for at least six weeks after injuring his knee prior to the 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Wimbledon at the weekend.

Goater, City's top scorer with 12 goals, was paired alongside Darren Huckerby on Saturday.

But it was a partnership that didn't bear fruit and although the boss could try an alternative twosome of Goater and Scottish international Paul Dickov, the Islander believes he may seek to bring someone in from outside Maine Road.

"I would not be surprised if he (Keegan) went out and got a striker on loan," said Goater. "It might sound rash but I think perhaps after Saturday's performance he might think 'I need a big centre forward', someone that if the game is (being played from) back to front, meaning we are not passing the ball as well as we can do, is able to assist me with the aerial side."

Wanchope, like Goater, is an imposing presence up front, whereas the reserve strikers are not.

Huckerby, whose nickname at his former club Leeds was Forrest Gump because he used to just put his head down and run, prefers to use his pace to unnerve defenders, while Dickov is small in stature and relies on his cunning to create openings.

If Keegan decides he has enough in his armoury without having to venture outside the club, Goater says he would prefer to run out alongside the Scotsman.

"(I would prefer) Dickov. We have an understanding and work better as a pair, not only with the ball but without it. If he is pressing someone I am backing him up and we communicate with each saying things like 'send him this way, or send him another way'," he said.

Huckerby was handed his second start of the season against Wimbledon in place of Costa Rican Wanchope. He, Paul Dickov and new boy Alioune Toure will now be vying for the striker's berth.

Keegan, meanwhile, has not committed himself yet and as City do not have a game for 10 days there is maybe no need to rush into a decision.

"Darren Huckerby got the chance against Wimbledon. It was a difficult game for him to come back into as we were beaten. But he could have made the difference the other way and we would then be saying he has put a claim in for a regular shirt, but it wasn't to be," said the boss.

Dickov has played just a handful of minutes under Keegan, scoring a goal in the Worthington Cup win at Notts County but has not been in the squad for the last four games. Last week the manager admitted he may listen to offers for the player from other clubs.