Nigeria international Victor Anichebe has been ruled out of West Bromwich Albion’s Boxing Day home fixture against in-form Manchester City.

Anichebe was supposed to be close to returning from a groin injury but he is yet to regain full fitness.

The former Everton forward has been an effective foil for West Brom’s less physical attackers - Brown Ideye, Stephane Sessegnon and Saido Berahino - when he has been available this season.

With Ideye struggling and seeming for all the world like the transfer bust that many predicted he would be this summer, Anichebe is Albion’s only real option as a target forward.

Hopefully he will be ready by New Year’s Day but it is certainly no guarantee.

His international team mate, Ideye, is in the running for a starter’s shirt at the Hawthorns.

Manuel Pellegrini will be looking for his Manchester City side to keep the pressure up on English Premier League leaders Chelsea when they travel away from home.

The Hawthorns has been a happy hunting ground for City in recent years with the Premier League champions unbeaten in their last four visits in the league.

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