Shaun Goater's fears about not being in the Manchester City line-up for yesterday's game against Preston North End came true - but not in the way he might have envisaged.

Goater had expressed his worries about having to make way for the return of Paulo Wanchope just a day before the game against their local rivals which City won 3-2.

However, if manager Kevin Keegan was having difficulty deciding whether or not to bench the 28-goal frontman, he needn't have worried. Goater made the decision for him.

Training with the team on Saturday, the Bermudian injured himself and was ruled out of yesterday's squad and possibly even the team for next Saturday's mouthwatering FA Cup tie with Premiership Newcastle United.

Keegan, speaking after goals from Wanchope, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Steve Howey had given City a three point lead over Wolves at the top of the First Division, said: "Shaun Goater pulled a muscle in training on Saturday, so was missing today and he is touch and go if he makes it for next week."

However, even if Goater recovers to make the reckoning against the Magpies, Darren Huckerby's performance up front with Wanchope might mean Keegan decides to leave things be. Goater, who needs just seven goals to make it 100 for City, told the Manchester Evening News just what such a decision would mean to him.

"Nobody here wants to find themselves out of the team," he said. "When we get playing, we are a very good attacking side and you don't want to find yourself stuck on the bench when the boys are playing like they have been. It's not a comfortable sight from there.

"Sometimes you find yourself sitting there and wondering if you are ever going to get back into the side, especially so after the way we played against Millwall (2-0 win) and Ipswich (4-1 win) where the performance was so high.

"When you do get a shirt the things that mainly go through your mind are centred around staying there and making it difficult for the gaffer to leave you out. You certainly wouldn't want to give up your place easily."

Meanwhile, Kyle Lightbourne has relegation worries on his mind once more after Macclesfield Town found themselves dragged into the mire with a 1-0 defeat at Lincoln City.

The Silkmen slipped down to 19th in Division Three after Tony Battersby's penalty consigned them to defeat.

Lightbourne had one chance of note but his 12-yard shot from a corner was well saved by Alan Marriott.