Shaun Goater's chances of regaining his regular first-team place at Manchester City improved markedly yesterday after former World Footballer of the Year George Weah sensationally quit the club.

Weah had appeared in just nine games since joining City in the summer and his departure was described as an "amicable separation''.

But City manager Joe Royle said Goater was not yet match fit after his injury lay-off and added: "Five minutes at the moment would be five minutes too long for Shaun.'' Liberian forward Weah asked to be released from his two-year contract with the Premier League club after being named as substitute against Bradford City on Saturday -- the fourth time he has been left out of the line-up this season.

Goater, back in the first team squad for the first time this season after recovering from a knee injury, was sitting alongside Weah on the bench.

Neither player was given a run-out.

The sellout crowd at Maine Road were chanting Goater's name during the Bradford match, but Royle said the player had much more fitness work to do before he could be thrown into the fray.

Royle said: "Shaun was not ready for it. Shaun was there as a double insurance in case Paulo's injury seized up on him.

"Shaun was just there in case Paulo had to come off and we needed another forward. But five minutes at the moment would be five minutes too long for Shaun. He needs more fitness and more games.'' Goater has completed two full reserve matches for City over the last two weeks.

Weah held talks with Royle yesterday when his request to leave Maine Road was accepted by the club and his contract terminated.

Weah said: "It's a situation I thought wouldn't arise. However, having spoken to Joe Royle we have amicably agreed it will be best for both parties to terminate my contract.

"I will now review my own situation at a later date.'' The recruitment of Weah, plus Costa Rican striker Paulo Wanchope in the summer, was expected to give Goater some tough competition to get into the side.

But the Bermuda international, City's 29-goal top scorer and Player of the Year last season when they won promotion from the First Division, has been ruled out for the first two months of the season with an injury suffered in a pre-season friendly in Northern Ireland.

Weah's absence from the starting line-up was largely due to the fine form of former Arsenal player Paul Dickov, who has earned his first two caps for Scotland this season and scored the first goal in Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Bradford.

Weah, voted World Player of the Year in 1995, started just seven games and made two substitute appearances for City following his free transfer from AC Milan. He scored four times -- with three of those goals coming against First Division Gillingham in the League Cup.

Royle said: "It's always regrettable when things don't work out between a club and a player. George is a true professional who has great stature throughout European football. We wish him well.'' Weah leaves today for the US, where he will carry out work for the UNICEF charity and FIFA before deciding where to continue his career.

He has already received lucrative offers to finish his career in America.

The 34-year-old first came to the fore at Monaco under the guidance of manager Arsene Wenger before moving to Paris St. Germain and then AC Milan.

He spent the final part of last season on loan at Chelsea where he won an FA Cup winner's medal in May, but his switch to newly promoted Manchester City in the summer came as a surprise.

Meanwhile, City have agreed a 3-million fee with Everton for defender Richard Dunne, who will hold talks with the club today.

Shaun Goater: eager to return to first team action.

On the Weah out... George Weah (right), the former World Footballer of the Year, quit Manchester City yesterday after less than three months with the English Premier League club.