Shaun Goater and Kyle Lightbourne will be approaching this weekend’s English FA Cup matches from opposite ends of the spectrum.

While Goater and Manchester City will be attempting to avoid a Cup upset at lowly Swindon Town, Lightbourne — if selected — and Macclesfield Town will be looking to hand one of Premiership West Ham United.

City entertain the Second Division team — currently in the midst of a financial crisis — this afternoon while Macclesfield are at home to the Hammers tomorrow in a match to be featured by the BBC in England.

City boss Kevin Keegan could be set to change his system and name three strikers in the starting line up against the Robins.

He admitted after City had strolled past Burnley 5-1 last week at Maine Road that he had considered playing with Goater, Paulo Wanchope and Huckerby in that game.

However, today’s game offers the perfect opportunity for such a change.

“It is one of the many things I can do and with Danny Tiatto not making it I may have to change the system to accommodate the players who I put in,” explained Keegan.

“It is a definite possibility and Swindon have played with three up front in the past, so it would make for an interesting game.”

Lightbourne, meanwhile, has been struggling with an ankle injury and it would be a surprise if he is thrown in at the deep end against West Ham.

If he is declared fit he is likely to start on the bench with boss Dave Moss fielding 19-year-old hot-shot Rickie Lambert.

A victory against the boys from the East End of London would represent the highest point in Macclesfield’s history, eclipsing their Worthington Cup exploits against Bolton and Middlesbrough.