Just as Kyle Lightbourne has rediscovered his shooting boots the Bermudian striker has found himself on the sidelines.

The injury jinx that put paid to much of last season with Macclesfield Town reared its ugly head again in midweek.

Lightbourne was forced to limp out of the Worthington Cup clash with Preston which the Third Division Silkmen eventually lost 2-1.

The frontman had set up the opening goal but had to be substituted during the second-half.

The injury to Lightbourne's hip is likely to rule him out of today's key clash with Boston United. A victory would put distance between Macclesfield and bottom side United, but a loss could drag them into the mire.

It is the first real disappointment of the season for Lightbourne who has found the net more often in the opening period this time than he did for the entire term last year.

"I only played two games in pre-season last year because I had ligament damage in my foot," he told the Macclesfield Express.

"I thought it was something that would be sorted out in a month or so. But I ended up missing around 14 weeks altogether. It was frustrating.

"But the injury was no excuse. I played 18 or 19 games before I got injured again and only scored two goals."

As a result he was transfer listed and then sent out on loan to league rivals Hull.

Lightbourne returned when Hull decided not to take up an option of signing the player and it seemed he was destined to find himself way down the pecking order if he was picked to play at all.

"I knew from the end of last season that I would start behind Matthew (Tipton) and Lee (Glover)," he said. "And when the manager bought Neil Robinson as well I thought I would be used mainly as a substitute.

"But I wanted to take the opportunities when they came along and that is what has happened."

Glover moved on to Mansfield and it heralded better times for Lightbourne. He scored the first in the Worthington Cup win over Barnsley, scored again in the league victory over Hull and has netted twice more since.

"I feel confident at the moment. I guess that's what the game's about," he said. "But I think another factor is that I had a poor season last time round so people didn't expect anything of me this year.

"I never really felt under any pressure last season but I felt going into this campaign that I had nothing to lose."

Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan was playing his cards close to his chest as he prepared for today's Premiership clash with Southampton.

Bermudian Shaun Goater partnered Nicolas Anelka up front for the League Cup tie at Crewe in midweek but was replaced with half an hour to go.

Darren Huckerby took his place and both players, along with the Frenchman, are in the squad for the game at St. Mary's.

David Bascome and the Harrisburg Heat open their Major Indoor Soccer League season tonight when they take on the Philadelphia Kixx.