biggest game of his career so far.

The Bermudian international has been sidelined with a recurrence of a hamstring problem and missed out on Saturday's game with West Ham.

Though there are several days to go in which his condition might improve, Goater is rated as doubtful for the visit of cross-city rivals, Manchester United at the weekend.

To miss out would be a big blow to Goater, who began his career at the Old Trafford club after being spotted during a tour of the Island by the Red Devils.

Although he failed to make his mark in the top flight with the club, going on to play with Rotherham United in the English Third Division, the striker has since become a marksman defences fear following goal-scoring bonanzas in both City's Second and First Division promotion seasons.

Blues boss Joe Royle said he could do with a fully fit Goater for not only the weekend, but also the fast approaching bumper festive programme. "Shaun is improving and wasn't that far away last weekend,'' Royle said.

"I would think he is in with a much better chance than last Saturday, but he has to train by Thursday to have any chance at all.'' Goater hasn't turned out at all this week, instead he has been in the healing hands of club physio, Rob Harris.

Said Royle: "Shaun is desperate to play. He has been desperate to play since he was injured in Ireland. His absence has been costly for us as we have been a bit shot-shy in the past few weeks.

"Shaun will work and he is an honest player who gets about the park. We could have done with a fully fit Shaun Goater in the past few weeks. We will just have to monitor his progress as the week goes on.'' A bonus for Goater is that Royle will not even begin to finalise his team for the Maine Road clash before Thursday or even Friday as six players are away on international duty and another is receiving treatment alongside the Bermudian.