Kevin Keegan hopes Shaun Goater will see out his contract with Manchester City, but has not ruled out allowing the player to leave in the summer.

Goater (33), who yesterday announced he was to stage the inaugural XL Capital-sponsored Shaun Goater Grassroots Soccer Festival in Bermuda in June, has another season left on his contract at Maine Road.

He has said time and again that he wants to see out his current deal and has played down stories linking him with other clubs in the Premiership and Division One.

Boss Keegan said yesterday that he would do his best to help any player who wanted regular football to move on, and with Nicolas Anelka and Robbie Fowler currently preferred up front to the Bermudian it was logical that Goater's name should crop up.

"We have a number of players whose contracts expire next year," said Keegan. "They are playing for new ones or they will come and see me and ask for regular football."

Referring specifically to Goater, the manager said: "I am delighted to have Shaun here and I think he will see out his contract with us, which will be the end of next season.

"If something happens to change his mind or if someone contacts me (about a deal) which would be good for him and the club, that is a different matter, but we are short of forwards at the moment."

City's next game in the Premiership is against Birmingham City on Sunday.