Shaun Goater will be given a hero's farewell when Manchester City play their last match of the season in their final game at Maine Road against Southampton on May 11.

Manager Kevin Keegan yesterday promised Goater the captain's armband for the season-finale in what is certain to be an emotional occasion as the Bermudian's departure coincides with City's final game in a stadium that has served the club for 80 years.

The lanky striker, left out of the side for most of this season, announced this week he wanted a transfer in order to secure first team football, and Keegan said he wouldn't stand in his way.

With 105 goals during an illustrious five-years with the club, Goater can be guaranteed a glorious send-off when he steps out for the final match.

“I told Shaun that he will definitely captain the side on the last day, whatever happens,” said Keegan yesterday.

“It will be an emotional day. I shall certainly start with him, though I don't know at this stage if he will finish the game in the side.

“He is very close to the first team anyway though I left him out last Saturday as we had the conversation about him leaving and I wanted to look at players for next season.”

Keegan, who has come under heavy fire from fans for continually by-passing Goater in favour of his “dream pair”, Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler, suggested he might even change the side's formation against Southampton in order to accommodate the 33-year-old marksman.

“Shaun has never let me down,” said the City boss.

“Every game he has come in to the side he has done very well and you know what you are going to get from him.

“I will include him whether we play with three up front and change the system or if I ask someone else to do a different job.

“I may leave one of the other forwards out of the side and explain to him that I am including Shaun because I think it is the right thing to do. I have promised Shaun he will be the captain and I will stick to that.”

Keegan, however, agreed with the fans, who have this week protested Goater's departure, that he would be missed.

“We are going to miss him on and off the field. We will miss him at training, when we are all eating together and when we go to away games.

“Shaun is a good team player in every respect. He is on the players' committee and he will be hard to replace.”

Goater agreed yesterday emotions would be running high when he pulled on a sky blue shirt for the last time.

“I aim to enjoy the last few weeks here and the last day of the season is sure to be an emotional affair,” he said.

“I am emotional and when I last led the team out at Grimsby I felt proud to do that and that feeling will be multiplied I am sure against Southampton.

“There is bound to be a tear or two but I hope also there is a goal for me - that would be a sensational way to say thank you and see you soon to the fans.”

Meanwhile, Goater, who yesterday told The Mid-Ocean News his long-term ambition was to return home to take charge of football in Bermuda, has hinted that he would first like to take up a coaching post with City once his playing days were over.

Goater told the City website: “I feel I have a couple of good years left in me as a player but one of my ambitions is to come back and work at Manchester City in some sort of capacity, maybe coaching young strikers.

“I love the club and it is in my blood. There were bad times early on but they only went to make the good times all the more sweet.

“I have a special bond with City fans and I hope they feel the same towards me. That bond will never be broken no matter where I play my football.”

Of his intended summer transfer, Goater suggested he would prefer to stay in the north of England.

“It is my intention to stay in England and the Manchester area because I am settled here, so is my family.

“I am open minded about where I go but I would rather slip down a division than become a squad player at another Premiership club.”