James Anderson's uncertain fitness for third South Africa Test leaves England "holding their breath"

The Lancashire veteran bowled just nine overs on day five in Cape Town and is a doubt for the Port Elizabeth clash next week with a side strain

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England remain nervous over the prospect of once again being without record wicket-taker James Anderson who is a doubt for the third Test against South Africa with a side strain.

The 37-year-old will undergo a scan on a side strain after bowling just nine overs during day five of the second Test win over The Proteas in Cape Town.

Anderson spent much of the day off the field and is the latest addition to an England treatment table which has been filled by illness and injury during the tour.

"He's been such a great servant that we're holding our breath and (have) fingers crossed for him," Director of England men's cricket Ashley Giles told BBC Radio Five Live.

"We'll be desperate if Jim was injured again. He's worked so hard to get back in the team.

"He bowled like a demon in that first innings and that mix of youth and experience we have in the team is just so valuable. We certainly don't think it's a recurrence of his previous injury."

A succession of calf problems saw Anderson restricted to just four overs during the Ashes, with his rehabilitation forcing him to miss the tour of New Zealand.

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He claimed 5-40 in the first innings in Cape Town but yet another injury setback will inevitably lead to questions over his international future.

"He'll go for a scan, get some treatment and we'll see how he pulls up going into the next Test in Port Elizabeth," said captain Joe Root.

"It's his side, but it could be just a little niggle. It could be a 24 to 48-hour thing or it could be something else.

"Until we have more information we'll just treat it as best we can and fingers crossed he's not another casualty of this tour."

Coach Chris Silverwood added to BBC Sport: "It's always going to be a concern for the coach and a concern for the team.

"We want him in there - he's a great bowler. But we've got to make sure he's all right now."

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are both set to be in contention for the third Test, scheduled to start next Thursday (16 February) while a fit-again Jack Leach could return in place of Dom Bess.