Bermuda yesterday suffered a major blow ahead of the Shell Caribbean Cup in the Cayman Islands next weekend when an injury to Shawn Goater put him out of the tournament.

Goater dislocated his shoulder while scoring his second goal in Manchester City's 5-2 away win over Kyle Lightbourne's Stoke City, a result that sent both teams down into the English Second Division.

However, with the Island squad due to leave on this morning's early American Airlines flight, it seemed unlikely that technical director Clyde Best would call up a late replacement for the matches against Cuba and the host country.

Best could not be contacted last night but head coach Robert Calderon reacted to the news with disbelief.

"This is going to mean a number of serious adjustments,'' he said when The Royal Gazette rang him with the news. "It is disappointing because we were very much relying on Shawn's goals. But we have a number of other options and one might be to play Dennis Robinson further forward.'' Calderon added: "It's unlikely we would call another player into the squad at this late stage because it would be difficult trying to get new airline tickets.'' A disappointed Goater said last night: "The doctor just said there is no chance.

"There is a big lump in my shoulder and they are saying it will gradually go back in place. I can't even drive for a few weeks.'' Depending on what today's x-rays show, an operation may also be needed to mend the shoulder which was dislocated when Goater rolled over after netting his team's second goal in the 71st minute to make it 4-1.

Goater had put City ahead in front of a sell-out Stoke City crowd in the 32nd minute with his 20th goal of the season -- the fourth straight season he has achieved that feat.

But it was all in vain as City dropped out of the top two divisions in England for the first time in their history after two teams above them, Portsmouth and Port Vale, both won away from home. To make matters worse Goater's eagerly awaited returned to the Bermuda team has been dashed by the injury.

"I'm disappointed I can't go and be a part because I wanted to get back with the boys and have a nice laugh and do the business for Clyde Best,'' said Goater.

"I've not been one to have a lot of injuries but I've gone and gotten injured in the last game.'' Goater and Lightbourne were due to travel to the Cayman Islands tomorrow, linking up with the Bermuda team on Wednesday after their friendly in Miami.

Fearing his ticket might be non-refundable, Goater still wants to make the trip to support the team.

"They say it's okay for me to travel so I'll just go and be a part for morale support.

"I might as well just travel and be around. Sometimes an individual can add a bit just by being around,'' said Goater, whose joviality helped relax the Bermuda players prior to matches during the World Cup qualifying campaign in 1992.

"Just after I scored the second goal I rolled forward and landed on my shoulder and straight away the players came around to hug me and I put my right arm up to protect me. I knew straight away I had done something and I was taken straight off.'' Stoke knew the result meant relegation for them but it wasn't until the other results had come in that City realised they were also doomed.

Port Vale scored four without reply at Huddersfield while Portsmouth won 3-1 at Bradford City.

Manchester City boss Joe Royle said afterwards: "The players are inconsolable, very sad -- they know they have let down our amazing fans who were still cheering even though they knew we were relegated.

"I knew at half-time what was going on elsewhere but the players didn't ask and I didn't tell them.

"But they must have realised with the crowd not letting them know what was going on everywhere else that things were not going right for us.'' Both Goater and Lightbourne only joined the First Division clubs earlier this year, Goater moving from Bristol City on transfer deadline day while Lightbourne moved to Stoke from Coventry City after a loan spell at Fulham.

Bristol City still clinched promotion in Goater's absence, after his 18 goals took them to the top of the Second Division. Fulham can also still go up as they are involved in the promotion play-offs with three other teams battling for the final place.

Royle hinted that a large-scale rebuilding programme could be instigated at City this summer -- and that could mean losing some of their better players.

Uwe Rosler has already returned to Germany under the Bosman ruling while Ukrainian Georgi Kinkladze is bound for Ajax.

SHAWN GOATER Dislocates his shoulder