the English First Division club's manager Joe Royle.

Royle, himself a former England centre forward, told reporters in England he rated the 30-year-old, signed for 400,000 from Bristol City as one of his best signings.

"It doesn't matter what other people think he's worth, because we would not consider selling him at any price,'' said Royle.

"To find a front player who has scored 25 goals by March at the highest level he's ever played at is incredible.

"Shaun has been terrific value to this club and he's won over all his doubters.'' With City pushing for promotion to the Premiership, uncertainty surrounds whether Goater will want to play for Bermuda in the two World Cup ties against Antigua next month.

Goater was quoted as saying: "Whether I play or not has not been confirmed. I have got to discuss what is the best situation for all concerned.

"I don't want to let it (the World Cup) interfere with City's games at present. There are two games in April and it is a tough situation for all concerned.'' Last night City slipped from second to third in the First Division after they drew 2-2 at Stockport County and rivals Barnsley won 1-0 at Fulham.

Goater played the full 90 minutes and had a second-half shot blocked but did not get on the scoresheet.

Jamie Pollock profited from Robert Taylor's knock-down to put City ahead in the seventh minute, but Ian Moore equalised on 27 minutes after latching onto a long ball.

County went ahead two minutes before the break through a Mike Flynn header from a corner.

City salvaged a point 11 minutes from time when Richard Jobson headed home Richard Edgehill's cross to make it 2-2.

City now have 66 points and Barnsley 68, but Goater's team have played a game less. Only the top two finishers gain automatic promotion. The third to sixth-placed clubs must play off for the remaining promotion spot.

Goater scored a hat-trick as Bermuda started their World Cup campaign with a 5-1 win in the BVI, but missed Sunday's 9-0 win in the return leg.

Instead, the English First Division's top goalscorer this season played and scored for City in their 1-1 home draw with table-topping rivals Charlton.

Technical director Clyde Best said yesterday in his weekly column in The Royal Gazette that Goater was crucial to Bermuda's campaign.

Royle and Best were due to discuss the matter on the phone this week.

Shaun Goater: definitely not for sale.