Shaun Goater's chances of a starting berth on Manchester City's return to the Premiership were given a boost over the weekend - but not for the right reason.

Strike partner Paulo Wanchope, the bookies' favourite to partner French frontman Nicolas Anelka, remains an injury doubt and is set to fly to the United States to see a specialist.

Costa Rican hitman Wanchope looks certain to miss City's pre-season programme as the troublesome knee injury that has dogged his City career has flared up again.

The striker, who turns 26 at the end of this month, may once again cross the Atlantic to be examined by a specialist.

In his two year stint with the Blues the Costa Rican has been sidelined on three different occasions. The problem first emerged two years ago when the striker underwent an operation at the end of January.

Wanchope's absence would move Goater up the pecking order and fighting to be his replacement along with Darren Huckerby, Matias Vuoso and Jon Macken.

Of those players only Goater can be viewed as the type of player capable of holding the ball up and assisting his partner, but it remains to be seen if that is the kind of tactic boss Kevin Keegan opts for.

Macclesfield Town's Bermudian striker Kyle Lightbourne is set to take to the crease for his side.

Manager David Moss will take a Town team onto the cricket field later this month.

And Lightbourne, who once claimed the scalp of former England captain Mike Atherton while bowling for Bermuda at junior international level, is likely to be in the side which Moss picks to face Macclesfield cricket club at their Victoria Road ground on Sunday, July 28.