MANCHESTER City's rivals will be hoping Kevin Keegan decides against a reunion with Robert Lee.

City were the obvious first club to be linked with the 35-year-old midfielder after he slapped in a transfer request yesterday.

He has been tipped to link up with his former Newcastle boss since Keegan arrived at Maine Road in the summer. The admiration between the pair is mutual and if Keegan signs the player for a second time it will be a huge coup for City on two fronts.

The first is the massive influence he could have on taking City back up. The second is that City will have a player of proven top class Premiership quality for that crucial first season back.

The Blues will have to pay top wages for a couple of seasons but Keegan knows better than anyone that there are few players out there who can offer better value for money.

Keegan said:"Robert is a fine player and one I know very well."

Meanwhile, City's trip to Millwall has been switched to Tuesday, December 4. No tickets are available for visiting fans because of the threat of trouble but the match will be beamed back to Maine Road.