The axe hovers over Seaman

David Seaman tonight faces the start of a two-week trial that could decide his future with Manchester City.

The former Arsenal and England goalkeeper, 40, has made terrible errors in the first two months of his City career and is now under increasing pressure from No.2 Nicky Weaver.

City's UEFA Cup first-round, second-leg tie in Lokeren tonight, when they defend a 3-2 lead, will be the first of Seaman's big tests and he will be wanting to make amends for gifting the Belgians a goal at the City of Manchester Stadium.

He is almost certain to be 'rested' for the Carling Cup fixture at QPR on October 28 and Sportsmail understands that, if he does not perform well in the three matches that precede it, he faces a struggle to win his place back.

Publicly, Keegan continues to back Seaman after giving him a one-year contract when he drew a line under a glorious career at Arsenal last summer.

But Keegan said tellingly:'We could have been looking at one of the best defensive records in the Premiership if it had not been for stupid mistakes.'