Shaun Goater may have declared his allegiance to Manchester City and potential suitors Wolves are keeping quiet, but just whether the Bermudian striker will remain at Maine Road when the new season begins has been a hot topic among Blues' fans.

The imminent arrival of French international Nicolas Anelka and the signing of fellow frontman Matias Vuoso has led many to speculate that Goater might lose out in the numbers crunch.

City boss Kevin Keegan is likely to have six strikers to choose from and 32-year-old Goater will have a fight on his hands to retain a place in the first team - despite his undoubted pedigree in front of goal.

An internet poll run by the independent City website Blueview.co.uk has been asking fans just who should partner Anelka up front next term, if and when the finer details on a ?35,000-a-week deal are agreed upon.

Leading the voting is Costa Rica's World Cup star Paulo Wanchope who has garnered 40 percent of the submissions, a total of 218 votes.

Next comes Darren Huckerby with 27 percent or 149 votes.

Goater is third in the rankings with 19 percent or 101 votes and Jon Macken is last with just 13 percent or 70 votes.

Vuoso's signing had only just broken when Manchester Evening News, Goater's local newspaper, fans have been writing in all week following the publishing of a story linking Goater with an ?850,000 move to Wolves.

And they appear split over just whether he should stay at the club or move on to pastures new:

"If we have to sacrifice the Goat for the good of the club so be it. (I) would have thought we could get at least ?1.5 million for him though.

"With (Nicolas) Anelka, (Paulo) Wanchope, Hucks (Darren Huckerby) and (Matias) Vuosa in the squad I can't see him getting many games and he deserves better than being stuck in the reserves."

- Peter Dougherty, Offerton.

"The Goat is a man of talent and has shown through it that he is there. Both sides should see this and be realistic in which ever way he has taken them forward. Don't Go-at!"

- Philip Rogerson, Northwich.

"He misses too many chances to be a good scorer in the Premiership. But ?850,000 is a bit of a joke. A couple of million or thereabouts is a reasonable price for somebody who's a proven prolific scorer at Division One level."

- Phil Middleton, Eccles.

"It's obvious that Shaun will be shunted down the pecking order, and after what that guy has done for us he deserves better than that. At his age, he needs first team football and if Super Kev can get ?1.5 million - a bargain at today's prices - then we should let him go."

- Jack Thorley, Timperley.

"?850,000 is a steal. With players playing til 35-36 (years old) he is good for another four years. He was our top scorer in the Premiership last time around and only played half the season. He may not know what he is going to do next but if he doesn't, then I am sure the defender feels the same.

"Always gives 110percent and is worth ?2.5m. If no-one wants to pay it, good, we can keep him."

- Malcolm Owens, Stockport.

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