Kevin Keegan is ready to splash out up to ?10 million to bring in a striker who will fire Manchester City into the top flight, according to reports from England.

If the boss gets his man it will mean increased competition for Bermuda's Shaun Goater who celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday.

The Islander is City's leading marksman with 28 goals but drew a blank in his last match on Saturday, a 0-0 draw against Walsall. That result saw the Blues slip five points behind leaders Wolves at the top of the First Division.

With Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope suffering a knee injury and fringe strikers Paul Dickov and Leon Mike sold to Leicester and Aberdeen respectively, Keegan is looking to bring someone in to fire up Goater and Darren Huckerby as the climax to the season approaches.

Chris Bailey, City writer on the The Gazette later this week.