Anelka facing fitness test

The French striker, who has plundered nineteen goals to keep Kevin Keegan's men above the relegation zone, is still suffering from the groin strain that forced out of the epic 4-3 cup win at Tottenham last week.

"Nicolas has tried his groin strain but we will wait until Wednesday to see if he has got any chance of starting," admitted Keegan.

"My feeling at this stage is that the game against Liverpool may come too quickly but certainly Saturday against Manchester United is a possibility providing he hasn't had any setbacks."