Shaun Goater was at the centre of a striking dilemma for Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan as he prepared for today's top of the table clash with First Division leaders Burnley.

On the one hand the Bermudian has not found the back of the net for three weeks and missed a number of chances in the goalless draw with West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.

But on the other hand he has always found scoring easy against the Clarets - 12 goals in his last eight games against them to be precise. Two of the last three appearances have led to hat-tricks, the last coming in a 4-2 win in August.

“Burnley will be a very interesting game,” said Keegan. “I would settle for the same level of performance against them as we showed against West Brom. If we show the same resilience and same character and put a little bit of finishing on the end of some very good football we will give them a very good game at Maine Road, as they would expect.

“If we keep playing football like we did against West Brom then we will create the chances and with the quality of players we have up front we will score goals. We are, after all, the top scorers in all the Leagues.”

If Keegan decides to take Goater out of the starting 11 he will be able to replace him with the returning Darren Huckerby, available for selection after a one match ban.

Paulo Wanchope, who has recently returned to action after a cartilage operation, would partner him up front.

If Goater starts then Huckerby will probably find himself warming the bench.

Goater has not scored since the trip to Crystal Palace three weeks ago and missed several good chances at Maine Road against Bradford City and then again against the Baggies on Boxing Day, a match that saw him taken off at the start of the second-half following the dismissal of defender Richard Edghill.

“Going down to 10 men meant I didn't want to go with two up front. I brought Shaun off as I thought Paulo's play is more suited to being a lone striker,” explained Keegan.

Meanwhile, Kyle Lightbourne is back in training but is doubtful for today's Third Division clash with Mansfield.

Lightbourne suffered a recurrence of a troublesome ankle injury last Friday against Shrewsbury. The striker returned to training on Thursday but is unlikely to be risked.

“Kyle injured his ankle in the same spot as last time, but it is not as bad as we feared,” explained manager, Dave Moss.