THE World Cup over, already a new English soccer season looms large.

And it's a season that might just be the most significant yet in the illustrious career of Shaun Goater.

His one and only previous chance in the Premier Division was blighted by injury, although amazingly despite limited appearances in a season in which Manchester City were relegated, the Bermudian star still finished top goalscorer.

This time around he enters the Premier campaign with the same club, but under the stewardship of former England boss Kevin Keegan, with a squad that on paper at least appears far superior to that of two years ago.

The signing of French international Nicolas Anelka, who has been the most expensive buy in Europe this summer, moving to City from Paris St. Germain for ?13 million, is the most notable addition.

Keegan has already confirmed that Anelka will be an automatic starter up front which means Goater, who again topped City's goalscoring charts last season, will have to fight for his place alongside four other quality strikers.

Few can remember when competition for a place in the City starting line-up has ever been tougher.

Yet that all said, Goater insists on putting Bermuda first.

When the rest of the City squad leave for Denmark next week on a pre-season tour, all of the players intent on showing their credentials, the 32-year-old veteran will instead stay behind in his adopted home to represent Bermuda at the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Despite insisting that he's proved his worth to the squad many times over the past few years, he must realise he's taking a huge gamble.

While there is a possibility that players on that tour could pick up injuries and thus scupper their own chances of starting the new season - the same thing happened to Goater himself a couple of years ago - the opportunity is there for all of those apart from the Bermudian to make an early impression.

Yet Shaun has said all along he wants to do what he can for Bermuda at a sporting festival considered second only to the Olympics.

It's an admirable gesture and we can only hope the sacrifice won't backfire.

He's said throughout his career it has been his dream to prove he can play on the biggest stage of all, the Premier League.

Fit, experienced and not yet quite at the age where footballers are considered over the hill, Goater must be relishing the upcoming campaign like he has no other.

Let's just hope that Bermuda's gain doesn't turn out to be his loss.