A series of tests have failed to reveal any reason why Anelka has been unable to play or train for the last fortnight and Kevin Keegan hoped the latest thorough examination would unearth the cause of the pain.

However, after receiving the results, the City boss was only able to confirm there was ‘no serious damage’ to Anelka’s groin, meaning the former Real Madrid star could theoretically return for Saturday’s televised trip to West Brom.

Such a scenario seems unlikely though given Anelka has not trained since refusing to take a fitness test ahead of the Arsenal game and will not get chance to do so until tomorrow at the earliest after Keegan handed his players a day off.

It means the 25-year-old is not likely to play again until the visit of Newcastle on February 2, by which time the transfer window will have closed and Anelka’s short-term future resolved.

Reports of a possible transfer to Fenerbahce continue, although City officials have again confirmed there has been no further contact from the Turkish outfit since their preliminary approach over a fortnight ago.

Keegan is more concerned with Saturday’s trip to the Hawthorns though, especially as Robbie Fowler and Antoine Sibierski are slight doubts after missing training this week with knee and ankle problems respectively.

The double injury worry places even more emphasis on Keegan’s search for a left-sided player to replace Ben Thatcher, who is set to complete his move to Fulham later this week.

Keegan is hopeful of signing a loan replacement for Thatcher within the next 24 hours – but revealed Rangers’ Michael Ball is not top of his shopping list.

The Manchester City boss has been linked with a move for Ball after it became public knowledge Thatcher was heading for Fulham after twice having his house burgled since his summer move north from Leicester.

Ball’s ability to play on the left side of defence or midfield earmarked him as a prime candidate for a move back to England because, with Trevor Sinclair and Sun Jihai out for the season through injury, Keegan has only one left-footed player in his entire squad in young defender Stephen Jordan.

But, after fielding 10 calls already about a possible replacement, Keegan confirmed he would only contact Rangers boss Alex McLeish about Ball if a move for his first-choice target fell through.

“I am hoping to know within the next 24 hours about the outcome of a potential loan deal I have earmarked – and it is not Michael Ball,” Keegan told the club website, www.mcfc.co.uk

“If for any reason that deal did not go through then Michael is certainly one of the ones we would look at.

“Michael is Premiership quality and at 25 is still young but of course he may not want to come on loan.

“He is a left-back who can also play left centre-back and that is crucial as he can offer cover.”

Despite agreeing a reported £500,000 fee with Fulham for Thatcher, Keegan does not believe he has the finances to seal a permanent deal for a potential recruit.

The City boss has previously indicated he would like to bring in a maximum of three new players during the transfer window, although those plans may have to be shelved due to the time he is spending assessing his most immediate need.

“You have to look at our situation as we can only loan, we cannot buy anyone,” he said.

“The list of targets is not a massive one. Losing Ben is a blow and we have had to divert attention to that area and make it a priority but these things happen in football.”