Top goalscorer Shaun Goater is hoping to be fighting for a place in Manchester City's side for the First Division clash against Walsall tomorrow after missing City's two previous games with a thigh injury.

The striker sat out training on Tuesday this week but was expected back on the training ground yesterday.

"Shaun Goater didn't train again on Tuesday, but I do think he will be fit for selection on Saturday," said City boss Kevin Keegan.

"Shaun was available for the Cup tie at Newcastle up until the Saturday morning and he joined in all the training.

"But at the end of the session he tried his injury over longer distances and he could feel it, so he obviously couldn't play at St. James' Park and he pulled himself out of contention."

Fellow striker Paulo Wanchope is also on the treatment table after suffering a knee injury while defender Steve Howey has been absent from training.

But the manager is hopeful that both players will recover in time for the league match at the Bescot Stadium and sees the injuries as minor knocks.

"Steve Howey didn't train on Tuesday, but he will be okay," said Keegan. "Paulo Wanchope didn't train either but he should make it as well. We have one or two niggles but nothing to worry us."

Walsall put up a battling display at Coventry on Tuesday night but were beaten 2-1 and so remain in the bottom three.

Wolves have now gone three points clear of City at the top of the First Division after crushing Crewe 4-1 on Wednesday night.

Millwall moved into third spot four points behind City after beating West Brom at the New Den by a single goal on Tuesday.

It was the first time that West Brom's keeper, Russell Hoult who kept two clean sheets against City, had been beaten in the League since December 29.