Shaun Goater could find life easier at Manchester City if team-mate Darren Huckerby heads out of the Maine Road exit.

Several clubs are rumoured to be in the market for taking the striker on loan, with First Division Leicester City and Nottingham Forest admitting their interest.

Although the transfer window has closed in England, clubs are still allowed to loan through the divisions and speculation on just who may leave Kevin Keegan's side has been rife since the ?6-million signing of Robbie Fowler from Leeds United last week.

It was thought that Goater or Huckerby would be the ones to leave as Keegan had made it clear that Fowler and Nicolas Anelka was his 'dream pairing' up front.

However, Goater made it clear that he was going to fight for his place in an interview with last week. And his hand may be strengthened by this week's news.

Huckerby (26) has scored 30 goals from just 52 starts for the Blues, but he may see his ambitions curtailed now and may seek a move down a division for the rest of the season.

Coventry, Walsall, and Wolves are all said to have an eye on the player but Leicester boss Micky Adams and Forest's Paul Hart are the only ones to go on record.

Adams said yesterday: "I am sure that if Darren Huckerby was available and I could get him then I would be interested in him.

"We are not going to deny that we have made an enquiry, but I haven't had any discussions with Kevin Keegan as yet."

A Forest spokesman said: "We have spoken to Manchester City about Darren's availability. The response was encouraging and we hope to finalise a deal within the next 24 hours or so."

Goater, meanwhile, played the final ten minutes of City's game with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, but could not prevent the side from slipping to an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Premiership's bottom club.

City will look to bounce back on Sunday by aiming to record a league double over rivals Manchester United when they play at Old Trafford. Goater scored two in the 3-1 triumph at Maine Road earlier this season.