Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan says he is determined to sign a top class striker but says it will not be at the expense of Shaun Goater or any of his other hitmen.

Contrary to press rumours in England, Keegan says he is looking to add to and not replace his current stable at Maine Road.

The boss, who saw his side crash out of the FA Cup 1-0 to Liverpool yesterday, has been trying to tempt Leeds' frontman Robbie Fowler to Maine Road but the player is said to be stalling after City refused to match his ?50,000-a-week wages.

He has also signed Marseille's Djamel Belmadi who, though primarily a midfielder, can also play up front and is a former team-mate of City's Nicolas Anelka.

Because of these moves and the fact that City already have Goater, Jon Macken, Paulo Wanchope, Mattias Vuoso, Chris Shuker among their ranks speculation has been rife.

It has been suggested that Goater has been the subject of an approach from First Division strugglers Preston North End with Lilywhites' boss Craig Brown said to have confirmed his interest.

However, Keegan was adamant that was untrue when asked.

"I haven't had one enquiry for any of the players who I would class as being in my first-team squad, and that suits me," he said.

Goater, though having lost his place next to Anelka recently, certainly fits that bill and the announcement will no doubt be a comfort to the 32-year-old who told last week he had no intention of leaving a club where he has attained `legend' status.

The Bermudian played 20 minutes of yesterday's third round tie at Maine Road and had a chance to cancel out Danny Murphy's penalty for the Merseysiders.

However, he headed Ali Bernabia's cross over the bar with six minutes remaining.

Kyle Lightbourne, meanwhile, also suffered FA Cup heartbreak as Macclesfield Town of the Third Division went out to First Division Watford 2-0.

A goal in each half from Heldar Helguson and Jermaine Pennant killed off the Silkmen on Saturday.